'This cannot happen': F1 world explodes over 'horrendous' drama
The Formula One world has been left in a state of disbelief after Sergio Perez won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix following late crashes from Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Verstappen was cruising towards a second-straight victory on Sunday when an unexpected tyre failure turned the race into a two-lap shootout and a shock victory for Perez.
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The Dutch driver crashed out of the lead with just four laps remaining to bring out a red flag that set up the unconventional shootout from a standing start.
Hamilton then went off course trying to pass Perez for the lead, marking the first time since 2016 that the top two in the championship standings failed to score points.
That made for an unfamiliar podium as Perez, Sebastian Vettel and Pierre Gasly all finished in the top three for the first time this year.
Australian star Daniel Ricciardo was ninth is his McLaren as his difficult F1 season continued, with teammate Lando Norris again outshining him to finish fifth.
However all the attention after the race was on the chaotic final laps, with Verstappen's tyre failure causing much concern for Red Bull and angering fans.
Verstappen had no warning his tyre was about to fail as he slammed into the wall.
The Dutchman climbed from his car, inspected the tyre and kicked it in anger before stomping off in disgust over the race-changing failure.
"Sometimes you can hate this sport," Verstappen said after the race.
“I didn’t feel anything up until the moment that I suddenly went to the right, the tyre just blew off the rim and it’s not a nice impact to have, it’s quite a dangerous place to have a tyre blowout at that speed.
“For sure (there will be talks with Pirelli) but we know the result from that conversation already and that’s a bit hard to accept.
“It will be related to debris, it’s like that. I’m sure there will be talks, Pirelli isn’t happy with what happened here today, but it doesn’t change anything to the race and the result I got here.
“Of course I’m p***ed off because of what happened today. It was a fairly easy race for me."
Red Bull now have major concerns about the Pirelli tyres after a similar accident ended Lance Stroll's race earlier.
“It’s not acceptable, it’s not acceptable,” Sky Sports commentator Paul di Resta said of the tyre dramas. “That could be championship deciding.”
Fellow commentator David Croft added: “Pirelli have gone one step softer with the tyre compound for this year’s race. Have they gone too soft or is it just construction?”
Other pundits and fans were also left fuming, with Pirelli firmly in the firing line.
I’m sorry but two failures happening on the same straight is not good enough from Pirelli.
Two really dangerous situations have happened and thankfully both of them okay.
Mistakes like this cannot happen!!!— Matt Gallagher (@MattyWTF1) June 6, 2021
Serious questions for Pirelli to answer after this. Absolutely gutted for Max Verstappen who had once again been supreme. Tyre failure crashes are horrendous #F1 #AzerbaijanGP
— Luke Gardener (@LukeGardener82) June 6, 2021
Tired: Verstappen was robbed. Pirelli have some explaining to do.
Wired: All F1 races should be 2 laps.— Phil Murphy (@Phil_Sports) June 6, 2021
Verstappen is inconsolable
Could have lost his life with that crash.
Pirelli needs to answer questions— Cinderella Man (@Osi_Suave) June 6, 2021
Retirements are one thing. But a completely faultless tyre failure amidst an extremely close championship sucks, man. These lost points are going to play a role all season for Verstappen. #AzerbaijanGP
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) June 6, 2021
They were obviously worried other tires would blow out so they red flagged it for tire change. This is an absolute disgrace by Pirelli.
— Mike van Veen (@MJDoubleV) June 6, 2021
@Pirelli absolute disgrace putting 2 drivers at huge risk and changing the #F1 championship 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
— Deb (@debp128) June 6, 2021
Lewis Hamilton misses podium after blunder
Perez was the leader on the restart but Hamilton shot past him in his attempt to win the race and reclaim the points lead from Verstappen.
But he failed to brake in the first corner and his Mercedes slid off track.
Hamilton dropped to 15th, snapping a streak of 54 consecutive races of earning a points position finish.
Hamilton said he accidentally flicked a switch which "basically switches the brakes off and I just went straight".
Four-time champion Vettel took second to give Aston Martin its first ever F1 podium in an an impressive drive after qualifying 11th.
It was his highest finish since 2019. Gasly was third for AlphaTauri.
It was the second career win for Perez, who is in his first season with Red Bull.
It somewhat salvaged the race for the team that had been headed toward a 1-2 finish before Verstappen's tyre failed.
"I am so, so happy. First of all I have to say I am very sorry for Max because he had a tremendous race," Perez said.
"We were going to have a 1-2 together, but in the end it was still a fantastic day for us and luckily we were still able to finish the race."
Perez's second win ties him with Pedro Rodriguez for the most in F1 by a Mexican driver.
with AAP
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