The Dutch reigning F1 champion was never challenged on Sunday in Baku, comfortably leading home George Russell and Carlos Sainz in a lights-to-flag victory. Verstappen never trailed on the streets of Baku, leading all 51 laps and winning by over 14 seconds from Mercedes' George Russell and Carlos Sainz, who claimed his first podium for Williams, having just lost out on pole position. Verstappen claimed his fourth win of the season and his second in a row, underlining a Red Bull resurgence that has raised concern within McLaren. Although Verstappen remains 69 points behind Piastri with seven races left, his pace suggested he could yet re-enter the title fight. Having endured a difficult year since moving to Williams from Ferrari, Sainz called the result one of the highlights of his career.