Red Bull encountered a significant setback following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with senior advisor Helmut Marko acknowledging that the team has almost given up hope of retaining the Constructors’ Championship this season. McLaren’s strong performance has seen them take the lead in the standings. To add to their woes, Sergio Perez was on track for a podium finish before a late collision with Carlos Sainz, just two laps from the end, dashed those hopes. Marko also confirmed that this incident disrupted a crucial car test Red Bull had planned for the Singapore GP, calling it a “massive setback.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton struggled with his Mercedes in Baku, voicing his frustration over team radio, stating, “you see how I’m having to drive this thing?” Team principal Toto Wolff responded by explaining that the decision to start Hamilton from the pit lane after a power unit replacement was a strategic move. Wolff defended the grid penalty, revealing that they chose Baku over Austin for the engine swap because they believe Austin presents a better opportunity.

In other news, Sergio Perez’s father, Antonio Perez, suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to the hospital after the Azerbaijan GP. He experienced a pre-infarction but is now stable and under medical observation in Mexico City. The family thanked fans for their support during this difficult time.

Finally, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko confirmed that a decision on the VCARB 2025 driver lineup will be announced between the Singapore and United States Grands Prix. Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo are both waiting to learn their futures, with Ricciardo facing uncertainty about whether he will remain on the F1 grid in 2025. Fans and teams alike are eagerly awaiting further updates on these developments.