Max Verstappen wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix amid Ferrari disaster

Max Verstappen has extended his F1 championship lead with a record-breaking win in a disastrous race for Ferrari. 

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - JUNE 12: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on June 12, 2022 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Max Verstappen has cruised to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to extend his lead in the F1 drivers' championship. 

It appeared Sergio Perez might be on course for back-to-back wins when he passed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc on the opening corner of the race.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

But he couldn't match Verstappen's pace and was instructed not to fight with his Red Bull teammate, who passed the Mexican and was never headed. 

Perez finished second, George Russell rounded out the podium in third and Lewis Hamilton overcame porpoising and a sore back to finish in fourth in an impressive drive. 

Verstappen is now 21 points ahead of Perez in the drivers' standings and 34 points clear of Leclerc. 

The race was an unmitigated disaster for Ferrari, with both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz failing to finish the race. 

Leclerc locked up on the first corner and he was forced to retire because of engine failure, while Sainz' run of horror luck continued when his car also suffered a mechanical failure. 

Four cars with Ferrari-powered engines had to retire from the race which had five DNFs.

Max Verstappen celebrates his win in Azerbaijan on the podium with Sergio Perez and George Russell. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It was the worst possible result for Ferrari, who are now well behind Red Bull in the constructors' championship with Mercedes quickly making ground. 

Verstappen's victory saw him break Sebastian Vettel's record for the most podiums ever for Red Bull. The Dutchman has now stepped on the podium 66 times from his 126 career races. 

Daniel Ricciardo crossed the line in P8 to secure his second point finish of the season. 

For much of the race, the Australian was in a tight battle with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who finished just behind him in ninth. 

Ricciardo had better pace than Norris early in the race but McLaren refused to let him pass Norris. Ricciardo eventually got in front of Norris by staying on his hard tyres for a long first stint and pitting during a safety car period. 

The F1 season continues next weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix. 

Azerbaijan Grand Prix results

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2. Sergio Perez, Red Bull

3. George Russell, Mercedes

4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

5. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri

6. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin

7. Fernando Alonso, Alpine

8. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

9. Lando Norris, McLaren

10. Esteban Ocon, Alpine