McLaren achieved a landmark moment at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, overtaking Red Bull to lead the constructors’ championship for the first time in over a decade. This major shift in Formula 1 dynamics came as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivered impressive performances, with Piastri securing victory and Norris contributing to the team’s success.

Norris expressed mixed emotions after the race. He felt disappointed by what he believed was an unfair disadvantage in qualifying, preventing him from fighting for the win. However, his frustration was tempered by delight over Piastri’s triumph and McLaren’s stunning leap to the top of the constructors’ standings.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for McLaren, who last led the constructors’ championship briefly in 2014 and won the title outright in 1998. McLaren’s resurgence has been driven by consistent performances and strategic upgrades. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the journey, highlighting how far the team has come since being last on the grid at the start of 2023. Stella emphasized that McLaren must remain grounded and focused on further improving their car to maintain their lead.

From Red Bull’s perspective, the loss of their long-standing dominance is equally momentous. This is the first time they have not led the constructors’ championship since the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, who dominated the early part of the season, has been unable to secure a win in the last seven races, and the team is not optimistic about their chances at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, a track that historically doesn’t favor Red Bull.

In the drivers’ championship, Norris managed to narrow the gap to Verstappen slightly, but the points deficit remains daunting. Despite this, McLaren’s strong showing in Baku marks a victory for the team and their ongoing resurgence, offering hope for a competitive season ahead. 

As McLaren relishes this unexpected rise, the challenge now is to stay focused, improve their car, and maintain the momentum as they battle against F1’s top teams.