Overview

• Max Verstappen controlled the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from the front for his second straight win and fourth victory of the season, finishing ahead of George Russell and Carlos Sainz.
• Franco Colapinto crashed in Q1 and Alpine fitted a spare chassis and gearbox within parc fermé rules before the race, avoiding a grid penalty.
• Shortly after his lap‑17 stop, Colapinto was hit from behind by Alex Albon, spun, damaged his front wing and lost roughly 12 seconds; stewards gave Albon a 10‑second penalty and license points.
• Colapinto finished 19th as the last classified runner and Pierre Gasly was 18th, with Gasly later warning of recurring “strange” pace problems at Alpine.
• Piastri retired on lap one and Lando Norris took seventh, limiting gains in the standings as Verstappen closed the gap; Sainz celebrated his first podium with Williams.