Barmy Baku struck again. After a thrilling 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Formula 1 returned to its newest street circuit and once again delivered a box office spectacle.
Lewis Hamilton rarely assumes underdog status but after falling to third place in the race and unable to match the speed shown by Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel ahead, he seemed destined for the final step on the podium.
That was before Daniel Ricciardo slammed into the back of Max Verstappen as the Red Bull’s race-long battle ended in dramatic fashion. The safety car was deployed and a four-lap shoot-out would determine the winner when the race was resumed.
Vettel slipped out of contention, running deep at Turn 1 with a failed attempt at grabbing the lead from Bottas. Surviving the Ferrari’s attack, Bottas seemed set for a fourth career win until a puncture triggered by debris ended the Finn’s hopes.
Hamilton was in “disbelief” as he exited the final corner in the lead of a race in which the win arrived at his feet. F1 at its unpredictable best for the second successive race in 2018.
Here is how we rate all 20 drivers after the Azerbaijan epic.
