Formula 1: Sergio Perez wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Red Bull is pulling away from Mercedes!

Red Bull Racing has consolidated its lead in the Formula 1 constructors’ standings after Sergio Perez’s victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday. The two main favourites for the title – Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen – left Baku without points!

GP Baku 2021: Sergio Perez took advantage of Lewis Hamilton’s troubles

It was another race full of crashes and twists on the narrow street circuit in Baku. Charles Leclerc started from pole position but was overtaken by champion Lewis Hamilton after just three laps. However, the tire change in the Mercedes pits took far too long and the defending champion lost the lead to Max Verstappen-Sergio Perez.

With five laps to go, however, a tire blew out on the Dutchman’s car and he crashed into the barriers – just as Lance Stroll had done earlier. The stewards raised a red flag to clear the track. As soon as the race resumed, Hamilton overtook Perez, but then unexpectedly went off the track! The brakes in the Briton’s car did not work.

“I think after the restart, when Perez was closing in on me, I pressed some button on the steering wheel and basically turned the brakes off myself. It’s quite a humiliating experience,” admitted the Mercedes driver, who thus finished the race without points. Sergio Perez won the race ahead of Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) and Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri). For each of them, it was their first podium of the 2021 season.

Formula 1 2021 – drivers’ and constructors’ general classification

In the individual classification, the status quo has remained, with Max Verstappen (105 points) leading with four points over Lewis Hamilton (101 points). Meanwhile, in the constructors’ standings, Red Bull Racing (174 points) extended its lead over Mercedes (148 points). The next F1 race will take place on Sunday 20 June at the French Circuit Paul Ricard.