The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was filled with drama as Lewis Hamilton received a severe late penalty, and another driver was rushed to the medical center following a crash. Hamilton was hit with a grid penalty after Mercedes installed a fifth power unit, violating parc fermé rules after qualifying. This forced him to start from the pit lane, a massive blow after qualifying in seventh place【9†source】【10†source】.
This penalty added to an already shuffled grid, which also saw Lando Norris move up several places following other driver penalties. Hamilton expressed frustration about the car’s performance, especially regarding tire temperatures, but vowed to stay positive【9†source】.
In a separate incident, a driver involved in a crash was taken to the medical center, but details on their condition were not immediately available. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held on the challenging Baku City Circuit, is known for its unpredictability, and this year’s event was no different, marked by accidents and penalties that kept teams and drivers on edge【10†source】.
As the race approached, the extended DRS zone on the track’s home straight was expected to provide numerous overtaking opportunities, keeping the competition intense even for those starting further back, such as Hamilton【9†source】. Overall, the race delivered high tension and multiple setbacks for key drivers, making it one of the most eventful races in the season.