BAKU, Azerbaijan — Max Verstappen showcased his championship prowess with a commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, leaving his competitors in the dust.

Verstappen, who claimed pole position following a chaotic qualifying session, led the race from start to finish. Meanwhile, title contender Oscar Piastri's disastrous first-lap crash handed Lando Norris an opportunity to narrow the championship points gap, though it wasn't enough to land a decisive blow.

"The car was working really well," Verstappen remarked after his race, celebrating the smooth performance despite challenging windy conditions. "It was pretty straightforward, incredibly happy with this performance."

George Russell clinched second place for Mercedes, battling through illness, while Carlos Sainz Jr. brought home a podium finish for Williams—their first in four years, finishing third.

"Best podium in my career," Sainz exclaimed, reflecting on the significance of their achievement.

Back-to-back victories for Verstappen mark a resurgence since the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, casting doubt over McLaren's earlier dominance, which faced yet another setback.

McLaren's Day to Forget

Norris, who finished seventh, couldn't capitalize effectively on Piastri's error, trimming the Australian's lead in the championship from 31 points to 25. Verstappen, though trailing in points, remains a contender for a fifth consecutive title, sitting 69 points behind.

In a race filled with frustration, Norris struggled to overtake, hampered by a slow pit stop that cost him crucial time and positions.

Meanwhile, Piastri’s race was marred by setbacks, as he stalled at the start and crashed while trying to recover, marking his first point-less finish since May 2024.

This disappointing performance means McLaren will have to wait for their constructors' title until after the next race in Singapore. It stands as their lowest point total from a Grand Prix this season.

A Historic Moment for Williams

Sainz’s performance marked a significant milestone for Williams, who hired him as part of their ambitious strategy to return to the front of the grid. Benefiting from the unpredictability of the weather during qualifying, Sainz held his ground during the race, showing genuine speed.

After the race, Sainz joyfully celebrated with friends and team staff, reflecting on the team's challenging journey. "Now I understand why it all happened because the first podium needed to come like this. It’s just life, you know? Life sometimes gives you bad moments to appreciate the good ones," he said.

Williams’ podium finish for the first time since the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix is a testament to their persistence and a hopeful sign for the future.