(Video) Sergio Perez, who was just 4 seconds away from lead, crashes into Carlos Sainz in the penultimate lap at Azerbaijan GP

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz had a massive collision on the penultimate lap of the Azerbaijan GP.

(Video) Sergio Perez, who was just 4 seconds away from lead, crashes into Carlos Sainz in the penultimate lap at Azerbaijan GP

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago, X/formuladirecta, screenshot)

The Azerbaijan GP has always been an entertaining watch. This year’s race had been no different as a four-way fight developed at the front for the podium places. However, when drivers are closely matched, a risk of a line being crossed emerges. This is exactly what happened after turn two as Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez had a massive collision.

Several eyes were stuck on Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc since the lights went out. While the top two battled, Sergio Perez soon joined the party and emerged as a contender to take the smile away from the top two drivers. However, Carlos Sainz soon started making inroads into the Mexican and played the team game by overtaking Perez.

YouTube video

Regardless of his heroic recovery, Sainz and Perez dashed towards turn three while being in close vicinity of each other.

FS Video

However, this clean fight changed into a massive pile-up as both drivers collided into each other causing their races to end a lap early and a mere four seconds away from the lead. This in turn continued the 34-year-old’s podium-less streak as his last podium came 12 races ago.

Sergio Perez blamed Carlos Sainz for the incident

Though the clash appeared as a racing incident at first, Perez was fuming after his race ended abruptly. The Mexican was quick to radio about his feelings after the crash and labeled the Spaniard as the sole reason behind the whole incident.

Perez did not have a great start to the race as he was already frustrated by McLaren’s tactics. Moreover, with him and Sainz crashing, the Red Bull driver had enough of his day already and blamed Sainz for the collision.

What the f**k, he just did man. What the f**k. Is he crazy or what?
Sergio Perez said over the radio

The Mexican claimed the 30-year-old to be “crazy” for his actions and crashed them both out. On the other hand, Sainz was shocked by how fast the crash happened and was left in disbelief at the outcome of his race despite making a strong recovery drive.

Apart from this, the FIA has noted the incident and would discuss it with both drivers before giving their verdict. On the contrary, McLaren overtook Red Bull in the constructor’s championship with only seven races remaining on the calendar.