Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports F1
Topics: Oscar Piastri, Formula 1, McLaren
Marcus Chan
There was a chaotic start in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Oscar Piastri crashed out during the first lap.
On Saturday, the qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was filled with multiple dramatic moments.
The likes of Alexander Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, Franco Colapinto, Oliver Bearman, Charles Leclerc and Piastri all had accidents which brought out the red flag.
As a result, Saturday's sessions have broken the record for the most red flags to feature in a Formula 1 qualifying.
Advert
Eventually, four-time world champion Max Verstappen took pole position ahead of Williams star Carlos Sainz and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson.
On Sunday, the drama continued as championship leader Piastri crashed into the wall during the first lap of the race.
Having started in ninth place, Piastri fell to the back of the pack before crashing into the wall at Turn Six.
The Australian confirmed he was okay on his team radio before climbing out of his car.
Onboard footage later showed Piastri locking up before hitting the wall, putting an end to his race.
As a result of Piastri's crash, McLaren teammate Lando Norris has the perfect chance to close the gap to the Australian in their fight to become F1 world champion.
To make matters worse for Piastri, he will most likely have to serve a five-second penalty in the next Grand Prix after a fault start in Baku.
Reacting to Piastri's accident, Sky Sports F1 expert Karun Chandhok said: "He has just locked up. He's just locked up and gone straight! He just sailed into the barrier.
"He just snatched the brake. I can't recall anyone hitting that barrier all weekend."
Former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins added: "It looks to me like he actually jumped the start a little bit, then tried to recover a bit and lost all those positions."