Lando Norris experienced a whirlwind of emotions after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, caught between disappointment and delight. His frustration stemmed from the belief that he had been “unfairly” denied a shot at victory due to bad luck in qualifying. However, this was balanced by the joy of seeing his teammate Oscar Piastri win the race and McLaren replacing Red Bull as leaders of the Constructors’ Championship.

This development is nothing short of seismic. While McLaren’s resurgence has been brewing for some time, Red Bull’s sudden decline has brought about a significant shift in Formula 1. For the first time in over a decade, McLaren leads the constructors’ standings—a feat they last achieved in the opening race of 2014, though it was more of an anomaly back then. Their last true triumph in the Constructors’ Championship dates back to 1998, with their near-win in 2007 overshadowed by the infamous ‘spy-gate’ scandal.

McLaren’s Long Road Back to the Top

The journey back to the top has been long and challenging for McLaren. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the significance of their achievement, stating: “At the start of 2023, we were last in the standings, and now we lead the classification.” This transformation is the result of hard work and dedication from every member of the team, and while they celebrate this milestone, Stella emphasized the importance of staying focused.

“We can’t get distracted,” Stella noted. “Our car still isn’t fast enough to dominate races, so there’s work to be done. We need to remain humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue developing to stay ahead of the competition.”

Red Bull’s Decline and Max Verstappen’s Struggles

For Red Bull, losing the top spot is just as significant. This marks the first time in two and a half years that they haven’t led the Constructors’ Championship, a position they’ve held since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2022.

Max Verstappen, who won seven of the first ten races this season, has now gone seven races without a win. With the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix unlikely to favor Red Bull’s car, Verstappen’s struggles could continue.

Despite clawing back three points on Verstappen in Baku, Norris couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity as much as he had hoped. McLaren had entered the weekend aiming to reduce Verstappen’s lead further in the Drivers’ Championship, but only a marginal gain was made.

Norris’ Mixed Emotions After Baku

Norris and Piastri had contrasting starting positions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Piastri starting second and Norris in 15th due to an unfortunate incident in qualifying. A yellow flag caused by Esteban Ocon’s Alpine forced Norris to abort his lap, knocking him out in the first session. Norris was left frustrated, believing that the yellow flag was unnecessary and cost him a strong grid position.

Reflecting on the weekend, Norris expressed his frustration: “It was out of my control. The yellow flag ruined my weekend and cost me a lot of points in the championship. The car was flying, and that only made the disappointment harder to swallow.”

However, Norris found solace in his impressive race performance, rising from 15th to fourth, even overtaking Max Verstappen after starting nine places behind the Red Bull driver.

Piastri’s Victory and Norris’ Teamwork

While Norris may have felt frustrated, his performance played a critical role in Piastri’s victory. Sergio Perez, running third in the early stages of the race, pitted before Piastri and was on course to overtake the McLaren. However, Norris, running a longer first stint on hard tires, held Perez up just long enough to ensure Piastri rejoined the track ahead of him.

Stella acknowledged Norris’ crucial role: “Without Lando’s help, Perez would have been ahead of Oscar. 50% of Oscar’s victory belongs to Lando.”

For Norris, helping Piastri to victory and securing the top spot in the Constructors’ Championship was the true highlight of his day: “I did my small part for the team, and that makes me the happiest.”

Piastri’s Brilliant Drive

Piastri’s win in Baku was nothing short of spectacular. After trailing behind Charles Leclerc for most of the first stint, Piastri closed a six-second gap to 1.5 seconds after their pit stops. He then executed a daring overtake on Leclerc at Turn One, taking the lead and showcasing remarkable defensive driving to maintain it for the rest of the race.

Piastri’s audacity surprised even him: “I was pleasantly surprised I made the corner. It was a high-risk move, but I had to go for it because I didn’t want to settle for second.”

Stella praised Piastri’s calm under pressure: “Oscar drove like someone with years of experience. His precision and mental strength were phenomenal.”

Red Bull’s Concerns and McLaren’s Future

Red Bull’s struggles in Baku extended beyond Verstappen’s issues. Sergio Perez crashed out while battling Carlos Sainz for third, further compounding the team’s woes. Verstappen remained optimistic, but acknowledged the challenges ahead: “It’s never nice to lose the lead in the Constructors’ Championship, but the season isn’t over. We’ll fight to get it back.”

As for McLaren, their newfound success has sparked excitement within the team. Norris, however, remains cautious about discussing the Drivers’ Championship, preferring to focus on one race at a time. Nevertheless, he understands the significance of their current position.

“The team has given us a car capable of winning,” Norris said. “To think we were behind Mercedes at the start of the year, and now we’re ahead of Red Bull – it’s something to be proud of.”

Looking Ahead

McLaren’s rise to the top of the Constructors’ Championship marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 Formula 1 season. With Red Bull faltering, McLaren’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. As they head into the Singapore Grand Prix, the team will be looking to build on their recent success and continue challenging Red Bull for the title.

For Norris and Piastri, their performances in Azerbaijan signal that McLaren is no longer just a contender—they are now a force to be reckoned with.