With a victory in Azerbaijan, Sergio Perez reduces the margin to Max Verstappen in the world championship.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw Sergio Perez claim victory over Max Verstappen, providing a boost to this season’s world championship. Perez took advantage of an early safety car to stop for new tyres and leapfrog Verstappen in the other Red Bull. From there, Verstappen would have expected to claim his third win of the season, but the race fell away from him on lap 10 when Nyck de Vries crashed out at the fourth corner. With the field running at a controlled speed, Perez was able to stop for rubber and retain the lead. Verstappen fell from first to third, with Charles Leclerc also benefitting from a free pit stop. Despite executing a perfect getaway to beat Verstappen to the opening corner, Leclerc’s lead lasted just three laps. Hamilton finished sixth, two places ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell. Perez’s win moves him to within six points of Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.