Oscar Piastri has recorded his second Formula 1 victory of the season by winning Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
With Championship rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris battling it out further down the field, the Australian was involved with Charles Leclerc at the front.
During the first half of an absorbing race, Ferrari's Leclerc held a lead of several seconds, but Piastri gained a narrow advantage during the second half.
Leclerc constantly hounded the McLaren driver at every possible opportunity, only for Piastri to hold on for a triumph that was confirmed under the safety car.
Along with Leclerc, Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz Jr had been fighting for the lead and second place, but the pair would clip wheels down one of the straights in Baku to take them both into the wall.
LAP 50/51
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 15, 2024
WOW.
Leclerc defends from Perez, which allows Sainz past, and then the Ferrari and Red Bull collide into the barriers on the run down to Turn 3!
VSC deployed 🟡#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/u8GzV3ONPA
Both drivers will blame the other for the penultimate-lap incident, but Mercedes man George Russell was the direct beneficiary as he claimed third.
Inspired Norris cuts further into Verstappen lead
Norris may have only cut Verstappen's Championship lead by a further three points - helped by recording the fastest lap - but it was an inspired performance from the British driver.
He started nine points adrift of the Dutchman, yet he crucially held the Dutchman up when he was on the longer hard-tyre stint before rapidly eating into Verstappen's advantage once he had switched to the mediums.
The fresher set of tyres ensured that Norris breezed past his rival with three laps remaining to now sit 59 points behind the reigning world champion.
For the first time in a DECADE... 🤯@McLarenF1 are your Constructors Championship leaders! 🧡#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/s2aSouHpNA
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 15, 2024
Who else finished top 10?
Despite only finishing in eighth and 10th respectively, they were notable placings for new Williams driver Franco Colapinto and Haas deputy Oliver Bearman.
Both drivers were making just their second-ever starts in Formula 1, indicating that the future could be bright for the pair.
Fernando Alonso, Alex Albion and Lewis Hamilton were sixth, seventh and ninth spot respectively.
How does the Championship standings look?
As well as Norris sitting 59 points adrift of Verstappen, Leclerc moved to within 19 points of Norris in the race for second.
Piastri is also just 13 points adrift of Leclerc, but the remainder of the field are at least 38 points behind the top four.
Darren Plant
