The streets of Baku are notoriously ruthless, with high-speed straights, unforgiving walls, and zero tolerance for error. We’ve seen champions rise here, and we’ve seen careers crumble with a single misjudged corner. However, the 2025 edition of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix might just go down in history as the race that completely changed the trajectory of the season. While Max Verstappen delivered a flawless performance, all eyes were on McLaren and the man who had everything to lose: Oscar Piastri.

The Unexpected Collapse of a Champion

Before Baku, Oscar Piastri entered the race weekend as the calm, composed leader of the championship standings. He held a comfortable 31-point advantage over his teammate and closest rival, Lando Norris. But what unfolded was nothing short of a catastrophe. A botched start, a desperate recovery attempt, and a violent crash into the barriers left Piastri watching the remainder of the race from the sidelines. His composure was shattered, his confidence shaken.

However, the story doesn’t end with just a crash. It delves deeper into what this weekend truly revealed about Piastri, about McLaren, and about Max Verstappen’s stunning late-season resurgence. Let’s revisit the events that shaped one of the most memorable races of 2025.

Verstappen’s Absolute Dominance

On paper, the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix concluded with Max Verstappen crossing the finish line in first place, completing what many are calling a “grand slam” weekend—securing pole position, the fastest lap, and leading every single lap. Baku belonged to him. Behind him, George Russell delivered a strong second-place finish for Mercedes, Carlos Sainz stunned the paddock with a third for Williams, and further down, Kimi Antonelli claimed fourth. The headlines may have celebrated Verstappen’s dominance, but the true drama of this race unfolded not at the front, but in the brutal implosion of Oscar Piastri’s weekend.

The Pressure Mounts on Piastri

For Piastri, the story of his Baku unraveling began even before the race started. Starting from ninth, his lowest grid slot all season after a crash in qualifying, the pressure was already immense. McLaren had worked tirelessly overnight, even replacing the chassis to get his car ready. But as the lights prepared to go out on Sunday, Piastri’s composure betrayed him. He jumped the start, then stalled instantly, plummeting to last place before the opening corner. The five-second penalty he received for the false start was almost irrelevant; the damage was already done. From that moment, it felt inevitable that this race would punish him further. And punish him it did.

By lap five, pushing hard to claw back positions, Piastri locked up into Turn 5 and slammed his McLaren into the barriers. His race was over almost before it had truly begun. For a driver who had not suffered a retirement in 35 consecutive races, stretching all the way back to Miami 2024, the suddenness of this collapse was shocking. This wasn’t the methodical, ice-cool operator fans had grown accustomed to watching. This was a rattled driver, crumbling under the unique pressure cooker that is the Baku City Circuit.

Shifting Tides in the Championship

But this is where the narrative deepens. On the surface, Piastri’s retirement cost him just six points in the championship battle. Lando Norris, who finished seventh, could only trim the gap from 31 to 25 points. Piastri still holds the lead, and with seven races remaining, he remains in a mathematically commanding position. Yet, Formula 1 is not just about numbers; it’s about momentum. And in Baku, the momentum swung violently away from Piastri and toward Verstappen.

The Dutchman’s victory wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. In back-to-back races—Italy and Azerbaijan—Verstappen has reminded everyone that he is still the predator lurking in the shadows. He may sit 69 points behind, but with 199 points still on the table, the mathematics allow for one final charge. More importantly, the psychological pressure his resurgence applies to McLaren cannot be underestimated. If Verstappen wins again in Singapore, suddenly the title fight isn’t a two-horse race anymore.

McLaren’s Problems and Internal Tensions

There’s also the question of the McLaren car itself. Both Piastri and Norris admitted after the race that their car, while spectacularly fast on its day, is unpredictable. It’s not easy to drive at the limit, particularly on tricky street circuits like Baku. Norris himself struggled all weekend, never looking like a podium threat. After the race, his frustration was clear. He spoke of missed opportunities and “not being perfect”—comments that hinted at a creeping tension within the McLaren garage. Because while they may be cruising toward the Constructors’ Championship, their drivers’ battle is anything but straightforward.

Think about what this means internally. McLaren came to Baku with a chance to tighten their stranglehold on the season. Instead, they leave with more questions than answers. Norris failed to capitalize when it mattered most. Piastri showed vulnerability for the first time this year. And Verstappen, who had seemed out of the picture just weeks ago, now has fresh fuel for his campaign. This isn’t just a bad weekend for McLaren; this could be the moment the psychological balance of the title fight shifted.

An Iconic Image and Psychological Warfare

And then there was the image that captured the world’s attention. After his crash, Piastri was filmed sitting behind a safety barrier, helmet off, reclining casually with his feet propped up, watching the race feed on his phone while snacking on a banana. To fans, it was almost comical, and social media exploded with memes. But beneath the humor, that image told a story. It was the story of a driver stripped of control, reduced to a spectator while his rivals battled on. For someone leading the world championship, that was not just embarrassing; it was symbolic of how quickly fortunes can reverse in Formula 1.

Now, let’s talk psychology, because this is where championships are truly decided. Piastri is a young driver, only 24, in his third season as a title contender. Until now, he’s been praised for his calmness under fire, his ability to shut out pressure and focus solely on execution. But Baku was different. Anticipating the lights, over-pushing in the opening laps, crashing in both qualifying and the race—these weren’t just physical errors; they were mental lapses. And in a title fight, once the aura of perfection cracks, rivals smell blood.

Contrast that with Verstappen. He’s been here before. He knows how to chip away, how to exploit the smallest weakness, how to turn pressure into opportunity. His victory in Baku wasn’t only about speed; it was about showing the paddock that he’s still the master of resilience, still capable of rewriting the script late in the season. And for Piastri, that’s perhaps the most dangerous development of all.

The Crucial Turning Point in Singapore

Of course, Norris remains a factor. At just 25 points adrift, he’s essentially one race win away from tying the championship. But what’s becoming clearer by the day is that Norris may not be able to beat Piastri outright unless McLaren delivers him a more stable platform. His comments after Baku, while respectful of his teammate, suggested simmering frustration. He knows these are the weekends where titles are won or lost, and he knows he missed his chance.

Looking ahead, the next race in Singapore will be crucial. Street circuits have already exposed McLaren’s weaknesses. If Piastri falters again, the pressure from Verstappen could become suffocating. And if Norris suddenly finds form, McLaren’s internal rivalry could explode into open conflict. Imagine the headlines: a three-way dogfight between two teammates and a resurgent Verstappen—that’s the kind of storyline that defines seasons.

So, here’s the real question: was Baku just an isolated disaster for Oscar Piastri, or the first crack in his championship armor? Verstappen is surging, Norris is still lurking, and McLaren’s dominance suddenly looks fragile. With seven races left, the battle for the 2025 title is wide open. What do you think? Did Baku expose Piastri’s weaknesses, or will he bounce back stronger than ever in Singapore?