Oscar Piastri’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended in disaster on the opening lap, compounding a torrid weekend for F1’s championship leader.
The McLaren star, who entered the race with a 31-point lead over teammate Lando Norris, saw his point-scoring streak come to a crashing halt after a catastrophic start.
Starting ninth following a crash in Saturday’s qualifying, Piastri’s race unraveled immediately. The 24-year-old jumped the start, triggering his McLaren’s anti-stall mode and dropping him to the back of the field.
But his troubles deepened at Turn 5, where he locked his brakes and slammed head-on into the barriers, triggering yellow flags and ending his race.
Stewards noted Piastri’s jump start, which would have incurred a 5-to-10-second drive-through penalty, but the sanction will not carry over to the Singapore Grand Prix.
The incident hands a solid opportunity to Norris, who could significantly slash Piastri’s championship lead depending on where he finishes his race.
Piastri, visibly frustrated as he exited his car to spectate from behind the wall, now braces for a tightened championship battle with seven races remaining.
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