21/09/2025
NEWS STORY
If you read the qualifying report - an old friend used to read just the intros and outros to our race reports as he knew what happened in between - you'll be aware that we referred to the 70s/80s TV comedy series Soap... and the immortal tagline, "confused, you will be".
Well, other than the theme tune, that's been playing on our minds all night, the practice sessions were confusing enough but nothing prepared us for qualifying, so God knows what we're in for today.
The one thing we do have is - other than Max being on pole - the sort of mixed up/reverse grid that Ross, Stefano and the rest have been pushing for.
Like I mentioned to Zoran Stefanovic earlier this week, in terms of his proposed championship, there has to be an element of chance in racing, and it has to come about by natural circumstances not manufactured, and yesterday's qualifying session had unnatural happenings occur in spades.
First things first, Max has to beat Carlos off the line and through the first corner, leaving the rest of the pack to sort themselves out.
While we have faith in Max we are not so sure about that first corner... it has history.
With such a mixed-up grid - Liam and Carlos at the front, Lando, Oscar, Charles and Lewis all starting much further back, the opening lap is going to be ferocious, especially that first corner.
We are not expecting rain but once again the wind is going to be a factor.
This has the potential to be a classic, however, as was the case in Monza, a major spoiler is the fact that it is likely to be a one-stopper. This whole tyre thing is one of the factors wrecking the sport, hence my suggestion to Mr Stefanovic that his proposed series should feature rubber that CAN last an entire race... if the driver so wishes and is prepared to take the risk.
It would be madness to try and predict what is going to happen, so let's just sit back and enjoy the ride.
McLaren was looking to secure the drivers' title this weekend, now, especially in the wake of Andrea Stella's warning, the objective will be to minimise the Max factor.
Carlos deserves a result today, as does Liam, but other than the usual suspects determined to add to their tallies others will view this as a prime opportunity to bag some precious points, if only to impress current and future employers.
The Racing Bulls have a significant opportunity today, as does Fernando, while Yuki could do himself a major favour.
According to Pirelli the fastest route is a one-stop with medium and hard playing the leading roles, unless of course there are any 'neutralisations'. As for the soft, it is unlikely to be used, but it cannot be ruled out entirely, for example in the case of someone looking to do a short first stint, before running in clear air and going all the way to the chequered flag.
A first stint on medium or hard allows for greater flexibility, since it's not out of the question that the race could be neutralised, as we saw in qualifying... six times!! The one certainty is that it will be a very unpredictable race.
All the big guns have two sets of fresh hards while Hamilton has two sets of fresh mediums and the McLaren pair both have one. Sainz also has two sets of fresh hards.
Assuming it's a 'normal' race - whatever that means these days - those starting on mediums will be looking to pit from Lap 16 and those on hards from Lap 29. The soft will last around 10 to 15 laps.
Despite being disqualified from qualifying after failing a deflection test on his rear wing, Ocon will be allowed to start, albeit from the back of the grid, while Colapinto and Piastri have both changed their survival cells following their mishaps in qualifying.
Air temperature is 21 degrees C and the track temperature is 27 degrees. It is sunny but still very windy with a headwind on the main straight.
The pitlane opens and Sainz leads the way, followed by Lawson, Hulkenberg, Hamilton and Ocon.
"There's something wrong," says Hadjar, "a really weird sound".
Sainz is last to take his place on the grid when mechanics are working on Hadjar's car which is thought to have a hydraulics issue.
"We are just pulling the bodywork off and having a look," confirms Alan Permane. "We think it might be simple, but if it is not, we don't have much time to fix it."
Despite official predictions being to the contrary, James Vowles claims that there is a chance of rain about an hour into the race, which, based on yesterday's antics, means round about Lap 6.
Ahead of the formation lap RB confirms that Hadjar's car is all clear for the start.
All are on mediums bar Verstappen, Russell, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Bortoleto, Bearman, Hulkenberg and Gasly are on hards. Sainz, Lawson, Antonelli, Hadjar, Leclerc, Alonso, and Stroll on used rubber.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly.
The grid forms, albeit very, very slowly.
They're away! Verstappen gets asway well while Sainz tucks in behind. Lawson follows in third while behind him the Mercedes pair are side-by-side through Turn 1.
A poor start from Piastri who loses a heap of positions.
The VSC and then the Safety Car is deployed as Piastri has locked-up and gone off and into the barrier at Turn 5. A total disaster for the Australian, following yesterday's incident.
Replay shows that Piastri jumped the start and then slowed, losing numerous positions in the process. Then came the encounter with the barriers at Turn 5.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Sainz, Lawson, Antonelli, Russell, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Norris, Leclerc and Hamilton.
Ocon and Albon both take an early stop under the Safety Car, both switching to mediums.
Elsewhere, Hulkenberg clouted Ocon hence the Frenchman's need to pit. Indeed, the Haas pitted again, this time to switch back to the hards/
Piastri and Alonso have both been noted for false starts... moving before the signal.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 4.
Verstappen lets rip towards the end of the main straight, while Russell loses out to Tsunoda after an attack on his teammate in Turn 1. Leclerc passes Norris who appeared to be sleeping at the restart.
Alonso has a 5s time penalty for a false start.
Leclerc passes Hadjar for seventh, with Norris and Hamilton also passing the RB.
As Russell harries Tsunoda, teammate Antonelli posts a new fastest lap (47.038).
"I reacted to Piastri," says Alonso when told about his time penalty. "Sorry," he says.
Having retaken ninth Hadjar is battling with Hamilton, however the Ferrari driver eventually comes out on top.
Opening a 1.6s lead Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (46.133).
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.
As Russell chases Tsunoda, Antonelli is all over Lawson who is 2s down on Sainz.
Despite some great defensive driving, Tsunoda eventually loses out to Russell on the run to Turn 3.
There is talk of rain in 20 minutes.
Down in 13th, a second down on Alonso, Colapinto heads a DRS train of 7 cars.
"Keep on top of management, you know our plan for the day," Verstappen is told.
Lap 12 sees a new fastest lap from Russell (46.108).
Norris is currently ninth, behind Leclerc, with Piastri out the Briton really needs to capitalise.
Much to the frustration of those behind him, Colapinto has now dropped 5s behind Alonso.
Antonelli is 0.6s down on Lawson with Russell just 0.5s behind.
Albon passes Gasly for seventeenth as Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (45.817).
In seventh, Leclerc is not making an impression on Tsunoda.
Albon pits at the end of Lap 15, rejoining in nineteenth.
"I think I've got a tyre advantage to get past Lawson," urges Russell. The Briton is on hards while his teammate is on the mediums.
Ocon makes a great move on former teammate Gasly.
Colapinto pits at the end of Lap 16, subsequently spinning after clashing with Albon. The Argentine flat-spots all four tyres.
Hamilton has a big, big moment but keep it under control.
Antonelli pits, thereby releasing his teammate, the Italian rejoining in twelfth behind Alonso.
The Albon/Colapinto incident is to be investigated.
5.2s clear of Sainz, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (45.414).
Albon gets a 10s penalty for causing a collision as Leclerc pits, rejoining in twelfth, 3.7s down on Antonelli.
Lawson pits at the end of Lap 20, rejoining in tenth, just ahead Antonelli. The Italian is all over the RB but somehow the Kiwi holds him off.
Alonso pits at thew end of Lap 21, serving his 5s penalty he rejoins in 17th as Antonelli passes Lawson for ninth.
Weather radar suggests rain in three minutes.
At 'half-time', it's: Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris, Hamilton, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Antonelli and Lawson, the Italian and New Zealander the only drivers to have pitted.
Antonelli passes Bortoleto for eighth.
A new fastest lap for Verstappen (44.967).
"I wouldn't let Russell get close to the undercut," warns Sainz as Bortoleto pits.
Williams subsequently opts to pit the Spaniard who rejoins in sixth, 6s down on Hamilton and 1.4s ahead of Hadjar. More importantly, he is over 2s ahead of Antonelli.
"We should pit before he overtakes me," urges Hadjar. "Don't worry," he is told, "we are looking after you."
The RB drivers subsequently pits, rejoining in tenth as Albon passes Gasly for 15th.
"This tyres feels good," says Russell, "let's keep extending."
The leading five have yet to stop, Norris the only medium runner.
In 18th, Bearman, now on fresh mediums, posts a new fastest lap (44.654).
"Pick up the pace," Tsunoda is told.
Bortoleto sweep by Ocon for thirteenth.
Leclerc closes on Lawson who is now 6.2s down on Antonelli.
"If you can get closer to Tsunoda we can think about the undercut," Norris is advised.
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 36, rejoining in ninth, 6.6s down on his teammate. Hulkenberg also stops.
Next time around Norris finally stops, however once again it's a slow stop - a problem with the right-front - and as a result he rejoins in eighth, behind Lawson and Leclerc. Stroll also pits.
Tsunoda pits at the end of Lap 38, the Red Bull driver rejoining in fifth, just ahead of Lawson and Leclerc.
However, on his cold tyres Tsunoda struggles and is soon passed by Lawson, though he holds off Leclerc.
Moments after passing Sainz Russell pits, rejoining in second, leaving Verstappen the only driver yet to stop.
Verstappen finally stops at the end of Lap 40, rejoining still in the lead, 13s clear of Russell.
Norris passes Leclerc for seventh, as Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (43.977).
Sainz is 2.7s down on Russell, and only 1.2s ahead of Antonelli who is 7s clear of Lawson. Tsunoda is 0.7s down on the RB with Norris in hot pursuit.
On his fresh rubber Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (43.702).
Leclerc yields to his faster teammate.
Tsunoda looking to find a way past Lawson whilst holding off Norris.
Yet another fastest lap from Verstappen (43.423) as he enjoys a 13.5s lead.
"These guys are fast," says Hamilton of the Lawson, Tsunoda, Norris 'train' ahead.
With two laps remaining, Gasly is the first driver to be lapped, Verstappen passing the second Alpine shortly after.
On the penultimate lap Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (43.388).
Norris turns up the heat on Tsunoda, allowing Lawson some much appreciated breathing space.
Verstappen takes the flag, ahead of Russell, Sainz, Antonelli, Lawson, Tsunoda, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc and Hadjar.
While Piastri's error brings his teammate back into the game it also benefits Verstappen, and suddenly Andrea Stella's warning about the Dutchman doesn't seem so far-fetched, what was a 94 point gap a couple of hours ago is now down to 69.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.
While Max did what he had to do, and what we've come to expect from him, great performances from Carlos, Liam and Yuki, with the Mercedes pair also performing well.
"Honestly, I cannot describe how happy I am, how good this feels," beams Sainz. "We have been fighting hard all year and today we proved when we have the speed, and everything comes together, we can do some amazing things. We didn't make one mistake and managed to beat a lot of cars I didn't expect to beat.
"I'm extremely proud of everyone at Williams," he adds. "We are on the rise, we are going in the right direction. We have had a lot of incidents, and now I understand why it had to happen to give me this podium like this. A life lesson to keep believing and keep trusting yourself as sooner or later it all pays off."
"Congrats to Carlos and Williams, a great result for them," says Russell. "A rough weekend for me personally, but glad to be back on the podium.
"I was pretty relieved to see the chequered flag to be honest," he admits, "but I feel a bit better than I did on Friday."
"I think this weekend has been incredible for us," grins Verstappen. "For us to win here again is fantastic. In the race the car was working well on both compounds. It was pretty straight forward.
"I was happy that there were not too many Safety Cars," he laughs "For sure the last two race weekends have been amazing for us."
"When you lock it you just can't recover," says Sainz on the cool down room as they watch Piastri's crash.
Verstappen reveals that he feared the Albon/Colapinto incident would bring out the Safety Car.
Not exactly the drama we were hoping for - other than Piastri's fateful first lap - then again we were probably spoiled yesterday.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.