The 2025 Formula 1 season is unfolding with breathtaking drama, and the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku was a saga of highs and lows, where drivers’ fates were decided in an instant and fiery controversies continued to ignite. From the spectacular return of Max Verstappen and the unbelievable mistakes of Oscar Piastri to the simmering tensions between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Baku has truly shaken up the grid, leaving a trail of questions and predictions for the remainder of the season. Are we witnessing a new chapter in F1 history, or merely the chaotic pieces of a volatile season falling into place?

Oscar Piastri and the Costly Lesson of Baku: An Unforgivable Error

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while perhaps not the thriller everyone anticipated, witnessed a “bonkers” performance from Oscar Piastri, starting in qualifying and culminating on the very first lap of the race. A crash in qualifying was an ominous sign, but what happened on Sunday was truly shocking. A fan, Raymond, questioned whether Piastri’s crash was due to mechanical failure or his own fault. The experts at Racing News 365 made it clear: it was entirely Piastri’s doing.

According to Andreas Stella, McLaren’s team principal, Piastri’s actions were described as an “excess of eagerness”. The young driver jumped the start, dropping the clutch too early, which also caused Fernando Alonso behind him to react, compromising both their races. It’s likely Piastri was overly anxious to get ahead of his teammate Lando Norris and control the race from the front. This “trigger happy” moment put him on an irreversible path.

However, the more egregious error came at Turn 5. Despite a decent recovery lap where he overtook two cars to climb to P18, Piastri simply lost control. “He overcooked it, he took too much pace in,” analyzed the panel. He was on a seldom-used part of the track with low grip, and his tires hadn’t reached optimal temperature. The result was a hard impact with the wall, ending his race prematurely. It wasn’t a mechanical issue, but two unforced, indefensible human errors.

Remarkably, Piastri was fortunate to escape a penalty for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. Fan Jeanette raised the question of why he wasn’t penalized for Singapore despite being unable to serve his five-second penalty in Baku. Under the latest F1 regulations, if a driver cannot serve a five-second time penalty due to retirement, it will not be converted into a three-place grid penalty for the following race. This rule only applies to a sole five-second penalty; a 10-second penalty or multiple five-second penalties would have resulted in a punishment. A recent rule change saved Piastri from a harsher fate. It stands as a costly lesson for the young driver, a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of F1, where the smallest mistake can cost you everything.

Max Verstappen: The Championship Chase from “Impossible” to “Inevitable”?

In stark contrast to Piastri’s weekend of errors, Max Verstappen is authoring a comeback story for the ages. Ian Parkson of Racing News 365 declared unequivocally, “Max Verstappen is seriously back in the title fight!” After trailing Oscar Piastri by a seemingly insurmountable 104 points following the Zandvoort race, Verstappen has slashed the deficit to just 69 points, with 199 still available from the remaining seven Grands Prix and three sprint races. A stunning run of back-to-back victories from pole position has reaffirmed his dominance and relentless determination.

The secret behind this resurgence lies in the upgraded RB21. A new floor, along with associated components, was introduced at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. This upgrade has brought the car more in line with Verstappen’s driving style, providing better aerodynamic grip and perfect balance. Verstappen is now in his “happy place,” with a car that offers him superior feel and peak performance.

In Azerbaijan, Verstappen not only won but also achieved his sixth career “Grand Chelem” (or Grand Slam) — an accomplishment that includes pole position, the fastest lap, the race victory, and leading every single lap. This feat puts him level with Lewis Hamilton, with only the legendary Jim Clark (eight) ahead of him. It’s a testament to his absolute mastery when provided with a car that suits him.

However, the fight is far from over. The next crucial battleground will be the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. Ian calls it the “acid test” for Verstappen and his car. Surprisingly, Verstappen has never won in Singapore. If he can conquer that track, Ian believes he has a very real chance of securing a fifth consecutive driver’s title. Sam agrees, noting that Singapore has been a “bogey ground” for Red Bull in recent years, but he believes the car’s improved performance in the 90-degree corners at Baku signals its potential for success.

While a 69-point gap is still massive, and overcoming such a deficit would be unprecedented in F1 history, “if anyone can, Max can,” Ian insists. The cautious sentiment among Verstappen’s own fans, as seen in post-Baku comments, reflects an awareness of the challenge. Yet, both Sam and Ian hold a strong belief in Verstappen’s capabilities, with Sam rating his chances a 7.5 out of 10, and Ian suggesting his score would jump to a perfect 10 if Verstappen wins in Singapore.

Leclerc and Hamilton: Trust Betrayed Over a “Gentleman’s Agreement”

The drama in Baku wasn’t confined to the track; it spilled over into the post-race debriefs. The dispute between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton has raised questions about the spirit of fair play in F1. Fan Leila asked about Leclerc’s “pointed” post-race comments regarding Lewis not letting him pass at the end.

To clarify the situation, Ian explained the sequence of events: Hamilton, on much fresher medium tires after an earlier pit stop, was catching Leclerc. Leclerc allowed Hamilton to pass, enabling him to attack Liam Lawson (fifth), Yuki Tsunoda (sixth), and Lando Norris (seventh). This was based on an unwritten “gentleman’s agreement” in F1: if a driver is let through to attack cars ahead and fails, he gives the position back.

However, Hamilton did not honor this. Despite being told by his team to return the position to Leclerc, Hamilton held on, claiming there was a “0.01% chance” he could still pass Norris. When he finally realized it was impossible, he braked, but not enough for Leclerc to retake the place, and they finished less than half a second apart. Hamilton later admitted his mistake and said he would apologize to Leclerc.

Leclerc, when asked about the incident, was outwardly calm, stating it was only for eighth and ninth positions and therefore not a big deal. However, he pointedly added that “there are rules that we know we’ve got to work with, and maybe those rules were not respected”. Crucially, Leclerc remarked that if “sexier positions” (like a podium finish) were at stake, he would expect Hamilton to act differently. The implication was clear: while the incident itself was minor, it has created a crack in the trust between the two drivers, one that could widen if bigger prizes are on the line in the future.

The Battle for the Second Alpine Seat: Money or Talent?

Driver market drama is always a hot topic in F1, and the search for Alpine’s second driver for 2026 is proving contentious. Jeremy asked who is most deserving of the seat, following recent comments from Flavio Briatore. The current fight is between Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron.

Both Sam and Ian expressed skepticism about either candidate. “I honestly don’t think it should be either of them,” Sam stated bluntly. He argued that Alpine, with a Mercedes power unit and championship ambitions, needs a driver on par with or better than Pierre Gasly. Sam suggested Alpine should “snap up” whichever driver is dropped from the Red Bull family, be it Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda.

Ian concurred, highlighting that Alpine’s previous gamble on Jack Doohan (for six races in 2025) didn’t pay off. Franco Colapinto, despite strong financial backing, has not performed better than Doohan, especially with his repeated crashes in Baku. Ian also hasn’t seen enough potential from Paul Aron in his F2 performances or practice sessions.

Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, has put himself in a difficult position. Ian revealed that Flavio made a “big play” for Colapinto over the winter, loaning him from Williams despite a lackluster end to his previous season. This suggests that the financial backing and sponsors behind Colapinto may have played a significant role in Briatore’s decision.

Faced with the current dilemma, Ian suggested that if forced to choose, he would “stick with Franco”. The reasoning is that Franco has been in the car all year and has an understanding of the team, which is crucial as F1 enters a new era of regulations. However, the panel unanimously agreed that Alpine needs a driver with superior experience and talent to be truly competitive. This debate is not just about raw talent but also about long-term strategy and the ever-present financial pressures in the high-stakes world of F1.

Conclusion: A Season Brimming with Dramatic Promise

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is over, but its stories and controversies continue to resonate. From Max Verstappen’s miraculous comeback that has turned the championship fight on its head, to Oscar Piastri’s personal errors and the complex driver dynamics, F1 is showcasing its undeniable allure. The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix will be a critical test, not just for Verstappen, but for the entire grid. Can Red Bull break their Marina Bay curse? Can McLaren maintain their advantage? And can Alpine find the missing piece to complete their puzzle? The 2025 season is guaranteed to deliver more surprises.