The perfect day for Max Verstappen.
The reigning world champion won his fifth victory of the season this Sunday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
On the Baku circuit, the 24-year-old driver, who started in third position on the starting grid, beat his teammate Sergio Pérez.
George Russell completed the podium, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly.
With this victory, Max Verstappen consolidates his place at the top of the drivers' classification a little more and also benefits from the retirement of his main competitor, Charles Leclerc
(see elsewhere)
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The Dutchman had taken the lead of the race on the 15th lap thanks to the DRS by overtaking Sergio Pérez who had offered no resistance.
The Mexican driver of Red Bull, winner in Monaco two weeks ago and second this Sunday, also made a good deal by overtaking Charles Leclerc in the general classification.
He had animated the start of the race by overtaking the Monegasque at the first corner, thus temporarily taking the lead of the race.
He had warned!
Sergio Perez takes off at the start and takes the lead in the Grand Prix!
🚀#AzerbaijanGP🇦🇿 |
▶️ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/SKbVup4yGy
– CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) June 12, 2022
A race to forget for Ferrari
This nightmarish day for the Italian team began with the exit of the track of the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, fourth fastest time in qualifying on Saturday, who was forced to retire for the third time this season.
The pilot suffered a hydraulic problem.
It was then his teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, fastest qualifying time on Saturday and leading the race on lap 20, who suffered the same fate with an engine problem.
A terrible disappointment for the Monegasque, second in the drivers' classification, who remained on a retirement in Spain and a disappointing fourth place in Monaco.
Charles Leclerc's turn to retire when he was leading the Grand Prix!
Catastrophic Sunday for Ferrari ❌❌#AzerbaijanGP🇦🇿 |
▶️ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/F3CXlddrHF
– CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) June 12, 2022
"Words are hard to find, it hurts!"
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The pilot's face appeared downcast during his first reaction to the Canal + microphone: “Words are hard to find, it hurts!
It's been three weekends in a row... I lost the power.
The mentality will remain the same, from tomorrow I will try to erase what happened.
The last double abandonment of the Italian team dates back to September 2020, at Monza.
Fortunately for Charles Leclerc, the next Grand Prix is coming soon, starting next weekend, on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit in Montreal, Canada.