The 2025 Baku Grand Prix has left a lasting impression, not only with Max Verstappen’s dominant victory but also with the controversy surrounding a penalty that seemed destined for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. A chain of unpredictable events—from a horrifying crash and a clear violation to a surprising stewards’ ruling—has turned Baku into one of the most memorable races of the season, simultaneously exposing the complex and sometimes bewildering regulations of the Formula 1 world.

The Powerful Return of Max Verstappen and Red Bull

Before delving into the McLaren drama, it’s impossible to ignore Max Verstappen’s masterful performance. After a somewhat challenging start to the season, Red Bull appears to have rediscovered its devastating 2023 form. Verstappen secured convincing victories in both Monza and Baku, demonstrating absolute dominance. He not only clinched pole position but also maintained a comfortable lead over his rivals, allowing him to manage his tires perfectly. “This weekend has been incredible for us,” Verstappen shared after his win. “Monza was already great, but for us to win here is fantastic. The car was working really well on both compounds, we had clean air all the time so you could look after your tires and it was pretty straightforward.”

This resurgence has significantly narrowed Verstappen’s 104-point deficit to Piastri to just 69 points in only two races. This is an alarming signal for McLaren, as Verstappen and Red Bull are showing they can reclaim the top spot whenever an opportunity arises. Notably, Verstappen’s teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, also delivered an impressive performance, finishing P6 in Baku, proving that Red Bull possesses an incredibly competitive and stable package. This raises a critical question: can McLaren withstand this rising red tide?

Shining Stars Beyond the Main Spotlight

While attention was focused on Verstappen and McLaren, several other drivers delivered praiseworthy performances. Liam Lawson and Carlos Sainz were two names that made a strong impression. Lawson showcased exceptional defensive skills, holding onto P5 under immense pressure from a DRS train that included Tsunoda, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton. He drove flawlessly, maintaining incredible composure to defend his position. “The way he held those drivers off, I just thought that was seriously impressive,” commented the video’s host, James.

Carlos Sainz, with consistent pace throughout the race, secured his first podium with the Williams team, a well-deserved achievement for his relentless efforts. “I cannot describe how happy I am and how good this feels,” Sainz said. “It tastes even better than my first podium. We’ve been fighting hard all year and we’ve proved when we had the speed… everything comes together and we can do some amazing things together”. This was a memorable moment, not just for Sainz but for the entire Williams team, signaling their significant progress.

McLaren’s Disaster and Piastri’s Costly Mistakes

In stark contrast to the celebratory mood at Red Bull and Williams, the Baku Grand Prix was a true “disaster” for McLaren. Things started poorly in qualifying, with Norris only managing P7 and Piastri P9. However, the situation worsened dramatically in the main race, especially for Oscar Piastri.

Piastri’s terrible start dropped him to the back of the grid. His problem began with a “jump start,” moving before the lights went out. He attempted to stop his car and seemingly engaged the anti-stall system, which slowed his getaway and sent him plummeting down the order. In his frantic attempt to regain positions, Piastri made a fatal error. He locked up his brakes and crashed into the barriers on the very first lap, ending his race prematurely. “The crash, just did not anticipate the dirty air in the way I should have,” Piastri admitted. “Clearly went into the corner way too hot and that was that. The grip level was low but I should know that, so I’m certainly not blaming it on anything other than myself”.

This was a surprising series of mistakes from a young driver who usually exhibits remarkable composure and precision. As James noted, “That was shocking to see, as I said yesterday, you don’t really see Piastri making mistakes this year but in qualifying yesterday he hit the wall, today in the Grand Prix he hit the wall, so yeah an awful weekend for Piastri”.

The Controversial Penalty: Luck or a Loophole?

Although Piastri had retired from the race, the stewards still investigated his jump start, as it was a clear breach of the regulations. As expected, Piastri was handed a five-second time penalty. The problem, however, was how to serve this penalty when the driver was no longer on the track.

In theory, the rules state that in such circumstances, an unserved time penalty can be converted into a grid drop for the next race. However, an FIA Stewards’ Guidelines document published earlier this year clarified a crucial exception. Article 8 in the important notes section of the penalty guidelines states: “In cases where there is a single 5-second penalty which a driver is unable to serve due to retirement, the stewards will not convert that into a grid penalty for the subsequent race”.

This meant that Piastri would avoid a grid drop for the next race in Singapore—a shocking and highly controversial outcome. Many might argue that Piastri was “very lucky” to escape a more severe punishment, especially after making two major errors in one weekend. This decision raises questions about the fairness and consistency of F1’s regulations. Is this a loophole in the rules that allows drivers to evade more serious consequences if they retire early?

Concerns for McLaren’s Future

Despite Piastri escaping a grid penalty, the disastrous weekend in Baku has raised serious concerns about McLaren’s future prospects. Lando Norris, though he avoided a crash, could only finish in P7, demonstrating that the McLaren struggled to overtake other cars in dirty air. “He couldn’t clear cars in front of him and that was surprising, we know how good that McLaren is,” James analyzed.

The points gap between Piastri and Norris in the driver standings remains decent, but Verstappen’s powerful comeback is a wake-up call. “Honestly, if I were Piastri or Norris, I would be very worried about Verstappen,” James warned. “He’s looking like he’s got his 2023 form back, he is driving absolutely brilliantly, he’s won two races in a row now very comfortably and he is bringing that gap down in the driver’s standings.”

The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, a track known for its high-downforce demands, is expected to be a major challenge. Can McLaren rediscover its form and fend off the formidable resurgence of Red Bull? Or will we witness a Verstappen who “it is very unlikely the pressure will get to him” continue to close the gap and ultimately dethrone Piastri from the top of the standings? The 2025 season is entering its most thrilling phase, and the upcoming races promise even more drama and unpredictability.

Safety, fairness, and excitement are the core tenets of Formula 1. However, the events in Baku and the verdict on Piastri’s penalty have ignited a fervent debate about how regulations are managed and enforced. Are adjustments needed to ensure all drivers are held fully accountable for their actions, regardless of their race outcome? The answer will unfold in the coming races, where pressure and competition will only intensify, and every decision from the stewards could shape the entire championship.