Particle.news
Download on the App Store
98 ARTICLES
·
1h ago

Verstappen’s Baku Grand Slam Tightens F1 Title Race as McLaren Falters

Red Bull’s Monza upgrade has restored pace, trimming Verstappen’s gap to Oscar Piastri to 69 points with seven rounds plus three sprints left.

Image
Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams, Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams, Williams Team Principal James Vowles, and the Williams crew cheer for a group photo after the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 21, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Image

Overview

  • Max Verstappen dominated in Baku with pole, fastest lap and every lap led, winning by 14.609 seconds over George Russell for his second straight victory.
  • The standings now show Verstappen 69 points behind Piastri and 44 behind Lando Norris, with 199 points still available across seven grands prix and three sprints.
  • McLaren’s rough weekend featured Oscar Piastri jumping the start and crashing on lap one to end a 34‑race points streak, while Norris finished seventh after a slow stop and lack of pace.
  • Rivals point to Red Bull’s new floor introduced at Monza and setup shifts under Laurent Mekies for the team’s resurgence, with Singapore viewed as the next key test as Verstappen downplays title talk.
  • George Russell secured second despite illness, and Carlos Sainz delivered Williams’ first podium of the season in third, as Mercedes edged ahead of Ferrari for second in the constructors’ battle.