The McLaren driver’s bold move and Norris’s teamwork secure a crucial victory - and propel McLaren to the top of the Constructors Championship
Oscar Piastri clinched his second Formula 1 win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, delivering a thrilling performance that showcased his grit, precision, and raw talent. His daring overtake on Charles Leclerc was the defining moment of the race.
"It was a high-risk move. But that’s what I needed to do to win."
Piastri on his winning pass
Tough Start and Tire Struggles
By Lap 14, Piastri was struggling to keep up with Leclerc, having pushed his Medium-compound tires too hard, too soon. With his McLaren losing grip, a pit stop was inevitable. Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez, fresh off his own pit stop, was closing in fast, but McLaren had a trick up its sleeve: teammate Lando Norris.
Image Credit: McLaren Racing
Lando’s Crucial Assist
Starting from 17th after a challenging qualifying, Norris had been making steady progress on harder tires. When Pérez came up behind him, Norris tactically slowed Pérez down, giving Piastri just enough time to exit the pits ahead of the Red Bull.
"When Sergio was behind me, I didn’t slow down, but I just looked after my tires a little more.That allowed Oscar to get back out ahead."
Lando Norris
The Game-Changing Overtake
Now back in the fight, Piastri seized his moment on Lap 19. Using the DRS zone and slipstream, he closed a 24-meter gap behind Leclerc and executed a daring dive down the inside at Turn 1 to take the lead.
Leclerc acknowledged Piastri’s boldness, saying, "He was fair, but I didn’t expect him to make that corner."
"I saw half an opportunity and knew I had to go for it. That’s what won me the race."
Oscar Piastri
Defending Under Pressure
With 27 laps to go, Piastri came under relentless attack from Leclerc and Pérez. The Ferrari was never more than a second behind, but Piastri’s calm and flawless defense held firm. Despite several close calls, he never made a mistake, proving his ability to handle the pressure.
"What Oscar did in those final laps defines him as a future world champion"
McLaren principal Andrea Stella
Team Effort and Championship Lead
Leclerc’s challenge finally cracked on Lap 47 as his tires gave out, allowing Piastri to pull ahead by 2.5 seconds. With Norris finishing fourth and clocking the fastest lap, McLaren’s combined effort put them 20 points ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship—a lead the team hadn’t seen since 2014.
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