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Azerbaijan Grand Prix Talking Points: F1 Talking Points: Piastri win worthy of an Oscar as Championship battle continues to intrigue

Writer's picture: Ben WaterworthBen Waterworth

An enthralling Azerbaijan Grand Prix is in the books as Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass to claim his second-ever F1 win.


With a tense battle at the front, a crash in the final laps and some very interesting scenarios coming with the Championship, there is plenty to discuss in the latest edition of F1 talking points.


And the Oscar goes to…


Bravo Oscar Piastri. Bravo.


The Australian put in a masterclass of a drive to secure his second-ever win, and also help McLaren take the lead in the Constructors’ Championship for the first time in a decade.


It was almost a role reversal of what happened in Monza a fortnight ago. The car that led for the majority of the race and looked likely of the win was outclassed by the driver behind to take a famous victory.


And while Charles Leclerc and Ferrari did so in Italy through some brilliant strategy, this time around Piastri did so without the aid of his team, and relied purely on an incredible overtaking move and some fantastic defensive driving.


This was the win that really solidified him as a bona-fide talent in F1. Yes, his win in Hungary was impressive, but we all know what controversy tainted that victory. This win however there was no controversy, just pure class and amazing driving from an amazing driver.


While 2024 might not bring him a Championship, it’s only a matter of time until a subsequent year will.


(Photo by Getty Images)


An unnecessary crash with massive consequences


The crash between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz in the closing stages of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was as messy as it was expensive.


And not just for the financial ramifications for both Red Bull and Ferrari. But for the Championship as well.


The crash meant that a strong race by Perez came to nothing, with valuable points on the Constructors’ Championship going to waste in what was looking like a possible second place and 18 points with it.


Given McLaren now maintain a solid lead at the front, it hurt the Austrian team more than they thought possible a few laps prior to the incident.


It also hurts Ferrari too, given that Sainz was on for solid points to help their late push for Constructors glory.


As that Championship is so tight right now and we’re seeing such a see-saw battle at the front for the leading team at each race, it was an incident that could come back to bite both Red Bull and Ferrari by the end of the season.


It also served as a kick in the guts to Perez, who needed a strong result more so than any other driver on the grid. Which brings me to my next point.


One race won’t save Perez’s career


Sergio Perez drove brilliantly all weekend in Baku and deserved a podium finish to solidify it.

But let’s not get ahead of things here when it comes to any possible upkeep in form.


Baku is somewhat of a specialty circuit for the Mexican, having won there twice before and putting in several other strong performances.


We also know his tendency to do well at street circuits, which was always going to give him a solid advantage over the weekend.


(Photo by Getty Images)


Even had he finished the race on the podium, was that really enough to put in an argument that he deserves to keep the seat in 2025? Absolutely not.


His form has been way too poor since the early part in the season, and with the team falling back into the pack rapidly, they are in desperate need of someone who can help them out far more than Perez has done so in 2024.


Perez is a fine driver who is capable of strong performances on his day. Sadly, though, his day is very rare presently, which heaps the pressure on to him even more.


Given what we have seen with the injection of new drivers on a couple of teams in 2024, Red Bull surely have to be looking at that as they still consider the future of Perez moving forward.


Championship battle heats up even more


It may have only been three points gained by Lando Norris over his Championship rival Max Verstappen, but it’s three points all the same.


And given he started so far back, it was extra impressive for Norris to leave Azerbaijan taking further points off the Dutchman.


But it’s perhaps behind the top two in the Drivers’ that gets a bit more intriguing.


Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri are a fair way back still. 78 and 91 points respectively. But on the grand scheme of things, that isn’t as big as it sounds when you factor in the amount of sprint races still available and just how badly Red Bull have dropped back in quick succession.


Does that give us the prospect of a four-way title fight at the end of the season? Maybe. Does the thought of make it way more exciting? Absolutely.


Given Piastri has scored the most points out of all the drivers on the grid in the last seven races, his form is second to none. And Leclerc has also shown his form recently, adding heat on those above them.


It may be a long shot, but no matter what, it is setting things up for a grandstand finish for the 2024 season.


F2 drivers shining in the spotlight


A quick final thought on the two fresh faces on the grid in Baku of Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman.


Both were driving in their second career races and both scored points. Both put in very strong performances against their much more experienced and fancied teammates and both showcased just why they belong on the grid.


Truth is of course only one will be on the grid next season, although Colapinto is putting in a very strong case for him finding a spot at some point.


In an era of F1 where it is harder and harder for younger rising talents to find a spot on the grid, it’s great to see rookies do so well when given the opportunity. This surely has to showcase that the talent pool below F1 is also in a great place and that we should see further advancements from drivers in the years to come.


It also gives both Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan high hopes for 2025 when they both make the rise from F2 into F1.


This article was originally written for The Roar. You can read the published version here

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