The Azerbaijan Grand Prix once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most unpredictable events on the Formula 1 calendar. The Baku City Circuit delivered drama from start to finish, but at the heart of it all stood Max Verstappen, who produced a flawless performance to take victory for Red Bull. Behind him, Mercedes demonstrated resilience, Williams enjoyed a fairytale podium with Carlos Sainz, while McLaren and Ferrari both faltered in ways that could reshape the championship fight. Here’s how the teams stacked up in Baku.
Red Bull Racing 5/5
Red Bull didn’t necessarily bring the fastest package to Baku, but Max Verstappen once again made the difference. His pole position lap in tricky conditions was a masterclass of precision, and on Sunday he controlled the race from the very first lap despite starting on the harder tyres. It was a display of dominance that reminded everyone he is still very much in the title hunt. Yuki Tsunoda also delivered one of his most convincing performances of the season, finishing sixth after a clean, measured drive that boosted the team’s Constructors’ points haul. With Verstappen’s win and Tsunoda’s consistency, Red Bull not only closed the gap to Ferrari and Mercedes but also proved their updates are finally clicking into place.
Mercedes 4/5
Mercedes’ weekend was a story of resilience and execution. George Russell fought through illness severe enough that Valtteri Bottas was placed on standby, yet still managed a brilliant second place. His ability to manage tyres and fend off the charging Williams and Ferrari cars was a testament to his skill and determination. Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli also impressed, outqualifying Russell for only the second time and finishing fourth after a mature, composed race. The team may not yet be at Verstappen’s level, but their strategy, tyre management, and consistency put them clearly ahead of their direct rivals in Baku. Their double top-four result lifted them into second place in the Constructors’ standings, edging out Ferrari.
Williams 4/5
If any team captured the hearts of fans in Azerbaijan, it was Williams. Carlos Sainz produced a dream weekend, starting on the front row and holding on for third-place finish, the team’s first full-distance podium since 2017. His calm management of tyres and ability to fend off faster cars underlined just how valuable he is to the team. For Sainz personally, it was also a redemption moment, doubling his points tally in a single race. Alex Albon, however, had a much tougher time: a crash in Qualifying left him on the back foot, and contact with Franco Colapinto earned him a penalty that ended any chance of points. Still, the focus was firmly on Sainz’s podium, which gave Williams a huge morale boost and a symbolic milestone in their long-term recovery.
Racing Bulls 4/5
VCARB left Baku as one of the big winners in the midfield thanks to Liam Lawson’s breakthrough performance. The New Zealander stunned the paddock by qualifying third on Saturday, then showed composure and maturity on Sunday to bring home fifth, his best result in Formula so far. His drive not only boosted the team’s points tally but also strengthened his case for a promotion within the Red Bull system. Isack Hadjar had a quieter weekend, struggling to match Lawson’s one-lap pace and finishing outside the points, but Lawson’s success was enough to push VCARB ahead of Aston Martin in the Constructors’ Championship.
McLaren 2/5
For the reigning champions, Baku was their worst weekend of the season so far. Oscar Piastri, who has otherwise been the picture of consistency, lived a nightmare: a crash in Qualifying forced a chassis change, and his race unraveled with a jump start, anti-stall issues, and a crash on Lap 1 that made him the race’s only retirement. Lando Norris salvaged seventh but was compromised by another slow pit stop and a car that struggled to find speed on Baku’s long straights. For a team leading both championships, the lack of adaptability and execution was concerning. Team boss Andrea Stella admitted improvements are needed in pit work and overall consistency. While McLaren remain in the title fight, this result was a wake-up call.
Ferrari 2/5
Ferrari’s weekend promised much but delivered little. On Friday, Lewis Hamilton topped practice, but Charles Leclerc’s crash in Qualifying ended his streak of Baku poles and left the team on the back foot. Hamilton was caught out by yellow flags and couldn’t escape Q2. In the race, neither driver had the pace to challenge for the podium, with Hamilton finishing eighth and Leclerc ninth while nursing engine issues. It was a disappointing return that dropped Ferrari to third in the Constructors’ standings behind Mercedes. Once again, the team showed flashes of competitiveness but struggled to convert them into results.
Sauber 2/5
Sauber may have missed out on points in Baku, but their weekend carried quiet encouragement. Gabriel Bortoleto drove a composed race to finish 11th, just one spot outside the top 10, after battling hard throughout the midfield pack. Nico Hülkenberg endured a more frustrating afternoon, finishing 16th after losing time stuck behind Franco Colapinto and Lance Stroll in the first stint, though he did pull off a crowd-pleasing double overtake at the restart. The team admitted that qualifying exposed the limitations of the C45, but in race trim their pace was closer to the midfield, especially once the wind calmed down. With the hydraulic issues from Monza now resolved and pit stops executed flawlessly, there were positives to take. While still lacking the raw speed to score consistently, Stake at least showed they can compete in the midfield battle when circumstances allow.
Alpine 2/5
Alpine showed signs of midfield competitiveness but left empty-handed. Franco Colapinto was running well until he was spun by Alex Albon, an incident that denied him a potential shot at the points. Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, struggled with pace throughout the weekend, unable to make progress in either Qualifying or the race. With other midfield rivals like Williams and VCARB scoring big, Alpine’s lack of execution hurt badly. They remain stuck in the lower midfield, needing cleaner weekends to climb back into the fight.
Haas 1/5
Haas’ weekend collapsed before the race even began. Ollie Bearman hit the wall in Qualifying, while Esteban Ocon was disqualified for a rear wing irregularity. Both started at the back and struggled to make progress on Sunday, leaving the team with another scoreless result. After showing promise earlier in the season, Haas now find themselves falling behind as Williams and VCARB pull away in the midfield battle. The lack of cleaner execution and consistent car developments might turn out to be costly at the end of the season.
Aston Martin 1/5
It was another invisible weekend for Aston Martin in Baku. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll appeared competitive at any point, and both cars finished well outside the points. The team has fallen behind in the development race, and their lack of pace compared to their midfield rivals was evident. The contrast with Williams and VCARB was particularly damaging, with Aston Martin dropping further down the standings.
Featured Image Credit: Formula1.com
Written and edited by Jessica.
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