F1 drivers' standings: Max Verstappen takes full advantage of latest Charles Leclerc agony

Verstappen, Perez, Baku — Photo: © LAT Images

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

F1 drivers' standings: Max Verstappen takes full advantage of latest Charles Leclerc agony

Red Bull driver has opened up a 21-point gap

Ian Parkes

Sunday 12 June 2022 17:55 Updated: 13:40

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Max Verstappen savoured his fifth victory of this F1 season to take a strong grip on the lead of the drivers' standings following further misery for Charles Leclerc.

Starting from his fourth consecutive pole position, Leclerc entered the race with high hopes of finally turning that into a win after previous failures in Spain, Monaco and Miami.

But for the second time in three races, Ferrari driver Leclerc suffered a power unit failure while leading and is now 34 points adrift of Red Bull's Verstappen.

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That represents an 80-point swing in five grands prix as Leclerc was 46 points clear of F1's reigning champion after the opening three events.

With Leclerc's latest PU issue, Sergio Perez is now second in the standings behind his Dutch team-mate who has opened up a 21-point cushion, compared to a nine-point gap over prior nearest rival Leclerc going into the race at the Baku City Circuit.

Ferrari's loss was also Mercedes' gain as George Russell and Lewis Hamilton came home third and fourth, with the former taking a strong grip on fourth in the standings, 51 points behind Verstappen and 17 behind third-placed Leclerc.

The next chapter in the title races takes place this weekend with the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Full F1 2022 standings