Piastri claims victory at Azerbaijan Grand Prix after late crashes

In a dramatic turn of events during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez collided while vying for third place on the penultimate lap. The incident occurred shortly after turn two, where Perez attempted to overtake Sainz. Their contact resulted in both cars crashing into the wall, eliminating them from the race and allowing George Russell to secure third place behind race winner Oscar Piastri and second-placed Charles Leclerc. Following the crash, the stewards conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. They heard testimonies from both drivers and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the collision. Ultimately, the stewards classified the incident as a racing incident, concluding that neither driver was predominantly at fault. They noted that both drivers maintained neutral steering and that Sainz had the right to his racing line. Despite the stewards' ruling, the outcome was met with frustration from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who publicly criticized Sainz for his role in the crash. Horner expressed that Perez deserved better from the race, highlighting the competitive nature of the incident. The decision not to penalize either driver reflects the complexities of racing incidents, where split-second decisions can lead to significant consequences. This ruling will likely influence future interactions between drivers as they navigate tight racing situations.