Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz have averted penalties for his or her big crash on the finish of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after stewards dominated that neither driver was predominantly accountable.

The choice, launched hours after the tip of the race, got here regardless of Perez’s assertion that Sainz deserved a penalty for inflicting a crash the Mexican mentioned was a “catastrophe” for Purple Bull’s championship ambitions.

On the penultimate lap of Sunday’s enthralling race, Sainz – after initially passing Perez at Flip 1 as he was pushed to the surface by the opposite Ferrari of Charles Leclerc in a battle for second – appeared to maneuver left on the straight after Flip 2 in direction of the Purple Bull, with the 2 vehicles then dramatically tangling into the limitations.

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However after each drivers reported to the stewards, they determined to impose no penalties – stating that neither Sainz or Perez “steered erratically”..

The doc added that Sainz ‘moved in direction of a automobile he had restricted imaginative and prescient of’ whereas Perez ‘may have accomplished extra to keep away from a automobile he had a greater view of.’

The collision helped George Russell, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen all acquire two locations into third, fourth and fifth, whereas McLaren now maintain a 20-point lead over Purple Bull within the constructors’ standings.

Perez: Sainz was accountable | ‘It is a catastrophe for Purple Bull’

Talking to Sky Sports activities F1 earlier than the stewards’ resolution, Perez was adamant Sainz was at fault.

“It is an actual disgrace that it occurred,” he mentioned. “It is a catastrophe for the championships, for each of us to finish our weekend like this once we undoubtedly had much more on the desk, it is a bit of a catastrophe.

“For my part Carlos moved too shortly to comply with the tow from Charles. It was the mistaken time, mistaken second and it resulted in an enormous shunt.”

Sunday marks the primary time since 2022’s Spanish Grand Prix that Purple Bull have not led the constructors’ standings.

Workforce boss Christian Horner mentioned the crash value Purple Bull “important factors” within the Constructors’ Championship whereas the Sky Sports activities F1 pundits additionally felt Sainz was accountable.

“Sadly I believe he has to take extra of the blame there as a result of he did transfer throughout,” mentioned Karun Chandhok, with Jacques Villeneuve stating: “The laws say you can not crowd, and Sainz was crowding shifting throughout the observe whereas Perez was subsequent to him.”

The Ferrari driver, nonetheless, did not ever count on to be penalised.

“Actually, a really unlucky ending,” he mentioned. “Initially I am glad Checo and I are OK. I drove a stable race, very fast on the market and the quickest man on observe within the final 20 laps.

“Sadly after passing Checo into Flip 1 and after combating Charles into Flip 2 there was a really sudden contact exiting Flip 2 that actually I nonetheless do not perceive the way it occurred.

“I did not do any erratic manoeuvres on Checo, any aggressive shifting on Checo and I do not perceive nonetheless. We collided and that was the tip.

“You by no means know what’s going to occur however this time I am 100 per cent certain I did not do something mistaken or something aggressive.”

Horner: Perez may have gained race in Baku

Earlier than the crash with Sainz, Perez was repeatedly on Piastri and Leclerc’s tail in what was a real three-driver battle for the win; the Mexican discovering type because the extra spectacular Purple Bull over the weekend.

And it may have been even higher, with Piastri solely rising forward of Perez after the pit stops because of some staff work from Norris – holding up Perez whereas his team-mate pitted.

“Sadly, Checo misplaced fairly a little bit of time on his out laps behind Alex Albon then Lando value him dearly, which gave Oscar observe place,” mentioned Horner. “With out that, he would have gained the race at this time.

“A type of issues that’s heart-breaking for him and the staff after a lot effort, to lose a podium within the final laps of the race.”

Norris, who handed Verstappen late on to chop the title result in 59 factors with seven Grands Prix remaining, mentioned: “It allowed Oscar to remain forward and probably get the win at this time. I am joyful I helped him out and performed a small half in that.

“I do not suppose it value me, however it modified the result for Oscar and that was crucial factor, that was my job at this time, to assist Oscar out. To return out with a primary and a fourth was good.”

Method 1’s thrilling 2024 season continues dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 subsequent weekend with extra beautiful avenue circuit motion, this time underneath the lights on the Singapore Grand Prix. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime