McLaren's F1 Leader Piastri Crashes Out Azerbaijan GP Opening Lap

Oscar Piastri, the McLaren Formula One world championship leader, crashed out on the opening lap of the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix after apparently jumping the start, causing his car to stall and then collide with the wall at turn five. This crash ended his streak of 34 consecutive race finishes and scoring, dealing a significant blow to his championship lead and to McLaren's hopes of clinching the constructors' title early. Piastri, who started ninth, fell to last place before the crash, while his teammate and title rival Lando Norris started seventh and now has a major opportunity to gain on Piastri in the championship standings. The incident was described as an uncharacteristic error for Piastri, who entered the race with a 31-point lead over Norris. Both drivers had qualified close on the grid, intensifying the intra-team championship battle. This setback for Piastri shifts the dynamics of the 2025 F1 season as McLaren’s championship hopes face renewed uncertainty.