BAKU, Azerbaijan — Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday as championship leader Oscar Piastri’s first-lap crash allowed Lando Norris to trim his points advantage.

Verstappen was in control from start to finish after taking pole position in a chaotic qualifying session Saturday and had a vast lead by the time he made his only pit stop.

“The car was working really well,” Verstappen said. “It was pretty straightforward. Of course, it’s not easy around here, very windy today.”

George Russell was second for Mercedes after battling illness through the week and Carlos Sainz, Jr. was third for Williams’ first podium finish in four years.

“Best podium in my career,” Sainz told the team.

Verstappen made it back-to-back wins for the first time since the Spanish

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