Four-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) claimed victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the 17th round of the Formula One World Championship, held on the streets of Baku. Starting from pole position, Verstappen dominated to secure his 67th career win in F1.

George Russell (Mercedes) finished second, while Spain’s Carlos Sainz (Williams) clinched third place, achieving his first podium with the British team and the 28th of his F1 career. “It felt even better than my first podium,” an emotional Sainz said after ending a six-race point drought.

The race was defined by an early crash involving championship leader Oscar Piastri (McLaren), who retired on the opening lap, and by a difficult afternoon for Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (Alpine), who dropped to 19th after contact with Alex Albon (Williams).

Alpine’s Franco Colapinto had climbed from 16th but was spun after contact with Alex Albon (Williams); Colapinto finished 19th and Albon received a 10-second penalty from the stewards for the incident.

Verstappen, still third in the standings, narrowed his gap to Piastri to 69 points. The next race of the season will take place on October 5 in Singapore.