Max Verstappen claimed a commanding victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, extending his run of dominance as title rival Oscar Piastri’s race ended in disaster on the opening lap.

The Red Bull driver was untouchable around the streets of Baku, leading all 51 laps and taking the chequered flag more than 14 seconds clear of Mercedes’ George Russell. Carlos Sainz delivered Williams a breakthrough podium in third, having narrowly missed out on pole in qualifying.

Kimi Antonelli impressed with fourth place, just shy of the podium, while Liam Lawson secured a career-best fifth for Racing Bulls after a fierce midfield battle. Yuki Tsunoda followed in sixth, his strongest result to date with Red Bull, fending off late pressure from Lando Norris.

Norris could only manage seventh after a difficult afternoon, dropping as low as ninth during the pit cycle and failing to find a way past Tsunoda on the final lap. The Briton still trimmed Piastri’s championship lead by six points, cutting the gap to 25, after the Australian jumped the start and crashed out at Turn 5.

Lewis Hamilton led Ferrari’s charge in eighth, ahead of Charles Leclerc in ninth, while Isack Hadjar rounded out the points in 10th for Racing Bulls.

Further back, Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) headed Ollie Bearman and Alex Albon, the Williams driver penalised 10 seconds for a collision with Franco Colapinto. Esteban Ocon climbed to 14th from the back after Haas were penalised post-qualifying for an illegal rear wing, while Fernando Alonso slipped to 15th after a jump start penalty.

The finishing order was completed by Nico Hülkenberg, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly and Colapinto, with Piastri the only retirement of the race.

2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Race Results

* Albon received a 10s penalty (collision with Colapinto).
* Alonso penalized for a jump start.