Drivers and Constructors' Standings after Azerbaijan GP | 2024 Formula 1 championship

09/15/2024 09:43 AM

Considering he started from 15th on the grid, it's still a positive for Lando Norris to have gained three points on Max Verstappen rather than losing them. However, Oscar Piastri's victory increases the English driver's regrets, as he now sits 59 points behind Verstappen with seven races (and three Sprints) remaining. Charles Leclerc couldn't break his Baku curse, and the late retirements of Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz allowed Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to gain positions. As a result, Charles Leclerc is now 78 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings and 19 points behind Lando Norris in the battle for second place. Oscar Piastri, on the other hand, has reduced his gap to Charles Leclerc to just 13 points, “avenging” his defeat in Monza.

Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman also deserve top billing. The Argentine scored points in just his second F1 race, while the Englishman maintained a top-10 finish in his second career race, but this time with a different car (the Haas) compared to the Ferrari he drove in Saudi Arabia. No one had ever managed to do that before.

The last time McLaren led the Constructors’ standings was at the 2014 Australian GP. Back then, it was a short-lived situation aided by Rosberg’s retirement and Ricciardo's disqualification. This time, the Woking team is absolutely serious, with a 20-point lead over a struggling Red Bull. The late retirement caused by an unfortunate collision between Sainz and Perez deprived Ferrari and Red Bull of crucial points, leaving Ferrari 51 points behind McLaren—a tough gap considering McLaren’s current form.

Williams, with ten points, has surged past Alpine, while Oliver Bearman earned a point for Haas. If Williams keeps performing like this, Haas and Racing Bulls need to start watching their backs.

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