Norris Faces Scrutiny After Baku Near-Miss
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BAKU, Azerbaijan – Lando Norris is under increasing scrutiny following the Azerbaijan grand Prix, where a late Safety Car period and strategic gamble ultimately denied him a likely first formula 1 victory. The McLaren driver finished second to Sergio Perez, a result many believe could have been avoided with a more conservative approach.
Norris had controlled much of the race, building a comfortable lead, but a late Safety Car triggered by Yuki Tsunoda bunched up the field. While Perez pitted for fresh tires, Norris stayed out, gambling on track position. Though, the restart saw Perez quickly overtake Norris, leaving the Briton to settle for second. The decision has sparked debate about whether Norris and McLaren missed a golden opportunity.
“It’s easy to say now what we should have done,” admitted McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. “But at the time, we felt staying out was the best option, given the details we had. It’s a tough one to take, but we learn from these situations.”
The result is particularly notable as McLaren has demonstrated a clear step forward in performance this season, challenging red Bull’s dominance. Norris,consistently performing at a high level,is considered a future star of the sport,and a victory in Baku would have been a pivotal moment in his career.
This near-miss raises questions about McLaren’s strategic decision-making under pressure and whether Norris, despite his talent, needs to be more assertive in influencing those calls.The Azerbaijan Grand Prix highlighted the fine margins in Formula 1 and the potential consequences of even the smallest miscalculation.
Horner Officially Departs Red Bull racing
MILTON KEYNES, UK – Christian Horner has officially left Red Bull Racing, the team announced today. Horner’s departure follows weeks of speculation surrounding internal investigations and allegations of inappropriate behavior. his original contract with the team ran through 2030 but was dissolved by mutual agreement. Financial details remain confidential, though reports suggest a severance package between $70 and $100 million.
“Red Bull Racing today announces that team boss and CEO Christian Horner will leave the team today,” read a team press release. Horner led Red Bull to six Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ Championships, including a dominant run with Max Verstappen.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a team,” Horner said in a statement. “I am confident that, as always, they will achieve success on the race track for our fans and will continue to do their best.” He also expressed gratitude to Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz, saravoot Yoovidyha, Chalerm Yoovidhya, Oliver Mintzlaff, and the team’s sponsors and partners.
Driver Grades: Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Expert Marc Surer and Motorsport-Total.com have released their driver grades for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ratings are available here.
