The Azerbaijan Grand Prix witnessed a dramatic crash on the penultimate lap of the race, involving two seasoned Formula 1 drivers, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez. As the excitement reached its peak, Sainz and Perez found themselves entangled in a collision that resulted in an abrupt end to their podium aspirations.
The thrilling battle for the minor podium places unfolded as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez engaged in a fierce duel with Charles Leclerc. The tension heightened as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri surged ahead in the lead, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale.
Perez’s unsuccessful attempt to overtake Leclerc at Turn 1 provided Sainz with an opening to swoop in and secure the third position. However, Perez swiftly closed the gap behind Sainz as they navigated Turn 2. In a daring move to reclaim his position, Perez made a decisive move to pass Sainz on the inside straight before Turn 3, resulting in a catastrophic collision between the two drivers.
The violent impact sent both cars careening into the wall, bringing an abrupt halt to their race. Perez, a two-time winner at Baku Street Circuit, expressed his disbelief over the radio, while Sainz could only question, “What happened? What happened?” The crash cast a shadow over the final moments of the race, which concluded under a virtual safety car scenario.
Despite the unfortunate incident, the race culminated with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri securing victory, closely followed by Charles Leclerc. In a surprising turn of events, Mercedes’ George Russell clinched a podium finish, with Lando Norris of McLaren finishing fourth and Max Verstappen of Red Bull securing the fifth spot.
As the race stewards review the clash between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, the motorsport community eagerly awaits their verdict on the incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, adding another chapter to the unfolding drama of the Formula 1 season.