F1 Baku Grand Prix 2024 Winners and Losers

The Baku Grand Prix 2024 delivered an electrifying race that saw both triumph and disappointment. The unpredictable streets of Baku brought out the best in some drivers, while others left the track licking their wounds. With championship battles heating up, here’s a look at six big winners and six significant losers from the dramatic Azerbaijan race.

Baku Grand Prix 2024 Winners and Losers

Winner: Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri shone brightly in the Baku Grand Prix 2024. The Australian driver capitalized on a crucial opportunity, taking the lead from Charles Leclerc early in the race. His aggressive move set him up for a commanding second Grand Prix win, securing McLaren’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship. With two wins and two second-place finishes in recent races, Piastri has become a formidable force this season.

Reuters | MSN | Oscar Piastri shone brightly in the Baku Grand Prix 2024.

Loser: Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc’s Baku curse struck again. Despite starting strong and securing his fourth consecutive pole position on this street circuit, Leclerc faltered when Piastri attacked. He couldn’t regain his lead, even though he hustled hard throughout the race. Although a second-place finish marked his best-ever result in Baku, it’s a bittersweet outcome for Leclerc, who has struggled to convert his poles into wins.

Winner: George Russell

George Russell salvaged a strong podium finish, his first since Austria, despite a rocky start to his weekend. He faced issues with his power unit, which cut into his practice time, yet Russell managed to outqualify his teammate and stay competitive throughout the race. He benefited from collisions ahead of him, but his podium finish was well-earned, marking another solid result for Mercedes.

Loser: Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen’s struggles continued in Baku as the reigning champion endured another frustrating weekend. Teammate Sergio Perez overshadowed Red Bull’s star driver and could only manage a fifth-place finish after starting outside the top five. Verstappen’s seven-race winless streak remains intact, and his once-dominant championship lead is shrinking, leaving him with plenty of work to do.

Jack Otway | MSN | Max Verstappen’s struggles in Baku were evident from his lack of pace.

Winner: Lando Norris

Lando Norris made a stunning recovery at the Baku Grand Prix 2024, charging from 15th on the grid to finish fourth. His race pace was exceptional, and he even overtook Verstappen in the closing stages. Norris’ defensive driving was crucial in helping teammate Piastri maintain his lead as he successfully managed Sergio Perez’s pace. Norris capped off an impressive performance in Baku with the fastest lap to his name.

Loser: Red Bull Racing

Red Bull had a weekend to forget in Baku, as both of their drivers faced significant challenges. Yuki Tsunoda’s race ended in disappointment after an early collision, while Daniel Ricciardo struggled with extreme tire graining, preventing him from competing for points. Red Bull’s lackluster performance has allowed rivals to close the gap, with Haas now just five points behind in the Constructors’ Championship.

Winner: McLaren

McLaren emerged as the clear winner in Baku, with a victory for Piastri and a strong fourth-place finish for Norris. The team’s strategy and race execution were flawless, allowing them to overtake Red Bull and take the lead in the Constructors’ standings. This win solidifies McLaren’s resurgence and positions them as serious contenders for their first title in over two decades.

Loser: Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg’s race was a disaster, marked by two costly errors that left him outside the points. His touch with the barriers dropped him behind Franco Colapinto, and a slow reaction to a green light allowed Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman to pass. Finishing 11th for a record-breaking seventh time this season, Hulkenberg’s frustrations continue as he narrowly misses out on points yet again.

Winner: Ollie Bearman

Ollie Bearman impressed once again, earning his second consecutive points finish with a solid 10th place for Haas. Bearman’s composure and racecraft were on full display as he handled the pressure well, particularly when managing his tires and battling Hamilton. His performance in Baku continues to raise his stock, as Bearman shows he’s ready for a full-time seat in Formula 1.

Losers: Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez

Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez saw their promising weekends end in disaster after a late-race collision. Sainz, who had secured his best-ever qualifying result in Baku with third, looked set for a podium finish before the incident. Perez, meanwhile, was enjoying his strongest weekend in months, having outperformed teammate Verstappen. Both drivers crashed out, costing them valuable points in the championship.