F1Piastri overtakes Leclerc for the lead as Norris makes his way through the field after starting in 15th
Kieran Jackson
Formula One Correspondent
Sunday 15 September 2024 13:24
Adrian Newey unveiled as Aston Martin’s new Managing Technical PartnerLando Norris’ title hopes were dealt a huge blow after he suffered a shock elimination from the first part of qualifying on Saturday as Charles Leclerc took pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the fourth year in a row.
The British driver arrived in the Land of Fire bidding to turn up the heat on championship leader Max Verstappen, having taken 16 points out of the three-time world champion’s title lead across the last two races.
But the 24-year-old said he was caught out by yellow flags down the long final straight, backing off and unable to improve his time, meaning he will start Sunday’s race from 15th on the grid.
Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ championship by 62 points with eight races remaining, was not imperious, managing only sixth on the grid as Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri claimed second ahead of Carlos Sainz and the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez.
Follow live updates from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with The Independent
1726402720F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: McLaren think they can catch Verstappen (Lap 41/51)Norris’ engineer: “Imagine Andrea on your shoulders saying zero wheelspin.”
Quite the image! Norris is 12 seconds off still.
In the battle for P1, Piastri – once again – holds off Leclerc brilliantly down the inside.
This is a stunning drive from the Australian – can he keep the lead for the next 10 laps?!
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:18
1726402586F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris pits to mediums! (Lap 39/51)“We want pace to catch Verstappen at the end!” This will be entertaining! Norris, in 7th, is now 13 seconds behind the championship leader!
Out in front, Leclerc has dropped to eight-tenths behind Piastri, with Perez now 2 seconds off the Ferrari.
4-10: Sainz, Russell, Verstappen, Norris Alonso, Albon, Hulkenberg
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:16
1726402282F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Dummy from Ferrari! (Lap 37/51)Ferrari tell Leclerc to box opposite Piastri… but he doesn’t go in!
Ferrari trying a dummy call over team radio – but they haven’t outfoxed McLaren!
A pit stop now? That would not make much sense at all!
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:11
1726402223F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc’s engineer (Lap 36/51)Leclerc’s engineer: “Come on Charles, keep it up!”
The gap to Piastri remains around the six-tenths mark. Can he somehow get past the McLaren?!
And when will Norris pit? The Brit is two seconds clear of Russell in fifth and now has a pit-stop gap to Alonso in eighth!
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:10
1726402091F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell overtakes Max Verstappen (Lap 34/51)Verstappen not happy and not quick it seems!
George Russell cruises past Verstappen on the straight as the Mercedes man takes sixth – Verstappen drops to seventh!
Could the Dutchman pit again?! He’s already dropped two seconds behind Russell… what has happened to that Red Bull?!
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:08
1726402010F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri keeps the lead (Lap 34/51)This is such impressive stuff from Oscar Piastri!
The McLaren holds the inside line at turn one, and Leclerc can’t quite squeeze past at the outside!
And Sergio Perez has now completely closed in on Leclerc… three cars in contention again!
Top-10: Piastri, Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Norris (yet to pit), Verstappen, Russell, Alonso, Colapinto, Hulkenberg
Hamilton is P13.
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:06
1726401891F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Verstappen frustrated in P6 (Lap 33/51) Verstappen: “I have no rear grip, the car is jumping.”
Norris will look to put some quick laps together now before pitting late on…
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:04
1726401814F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Alex Albon pits (Lap 32/51)Albon finally pits, allowing Norris to run in clean air in fifth.
Verstappen still held behind the McLaren in sixth.
Out in front, Leclerc still within DRS of Piastri but cannot find a way past at turn one!
Intriguing battles everywhere here…
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 13:03
1726401478F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri brilliant in defence! (Lap 29/51)The Australian does terrific to hold off Leclerc down the main straight, shifting to the inside and Leclerc can’t make it move around the outside!
Sergio Perez is trying his best to keep with them, but is now 1.2 seconds off Leclerc.
4-10: Albon (yet to pit), Norris (yet to pit), Verstappen, Russell, Alonso, Colapinto
Lewis Hamilton in P14.
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 12:57
1726400984F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in battle! (Lap 24/51)This is fun!
Norris – yet to pit – is in sixth with F1 title rival Verstappen right on his tail, but the McLaren is making the Red Bull sweat!
Verstappen forced to go down the inside at turn 15, and has lost some pace to Norris! “My brakes are not working,” he says.
At the front, Piastri is 0.6 secs ahead of Leclerc now… with Perez 1.3 secs behind Leclerc.
Kieran Jackson15 September 2024 12:49
