Red Bull’s Sergio Perez emerged victorious in a chaotic race where both Max Verstappen and world champion Lewis Hamilton failed to finish.
BAKU – Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday with both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton failing to finish.
Sebastian Vettel for Aston Martin and Pierre Gasly for Alpha Tauri completed the unexpected podium.
Verstappen crashed with five laps to go and the race at his mercy. Hamilton then locked up at the restart when on target for second.
The drama on the streets of Baku left Verstappen retaining the lead in the drivers standings.
This was the first win for Perez since joining Red Bull.
Perez said: “I’m so happy for today. Normally Baku is pretty crazy but I have to say sorry to Max.
“He deserved the win today and it would have been good for the team to get a 1-2 but the win is a fantastic result.
It was only a matter of time 🤩 Now to celebrate your first win with the TEAM, @SChecoPerez 🏆😂 pic.twitter.com/5nZ9OLefYK
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) June 6, 2021
He inherited the lead when his teammate Verstappen’s left rear tyre shredded triggering a high-speed crash in the straight as he was set to cash in on his second straight win and third of the season.
“Tyre,” shouted a distraught Verstappen on the team radio.
After a red-flag stoppage lasting over half an hour to clear debris from Verstappen’s stricken car the grand prix resumed with a two lap sprint to the chequered flag.
Hamilton looked to have the measure of Perez but spun off at turn one leaving Perez to collect an unlikely win.
Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc came in fifth and Hamilton out of the points like Verstappen in 15th.
🗣 "We are working flat out and giving our best every week, it’s only race six and there’s more to come from me." More from @SChecoPerez on his #AzerbaijanGP win 🏆👉 https://t.co/SLLFgvTqx9 pic.twitter.com/NK4lxmFgKY
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) June 6, 2021
AFP