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Karun Chandhok explains how Oscar Piastri made race-winning move on Charles Leclerc

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Oscar Piastri pulled off a stunning overtake on Charles Leclerc midway through the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to win the race.

The Australian started from second on the grid and had a good start, but pole-sitter Charles Leclerc managed to stay ahead and lead for the first 19 laps.

After making their first pit stops, Oscar Piastri used up the life in his hard tyres to close the gap to Leclerc and challenge for the lead. With the help of DRS, the McLaren driver made a late dive down the inside on the Ferrari at Turn 1 and snatched the lead.

Piastri had to defend from Leclerc throughout the rest of the race, with the Ferrari driver getting close on occasion to overtaking at Turn 1 and on the run after Turn 2.

Discussing his move that eventually enabled Piastri to win the race, Karun Chandhok explained why it was such an impressive overtake on Leclerc when commentating on Sky Sports.

Karun Chandhok hails ‘tremendous confidence’ from Oscar Piastri

Piastri made the move on Leclerc quite a few meters before the braking zone at Turn 1 and remarked in the cool-down room that it was “50/50” over whether he would make the corner.

Leclerc reacted well and managed to avoid contact, while Piastri made the corner and exited without colliding with the barriers.

Chandhok praised Piastri’s car control and ability to race hard and fair with Leclerc, giving Ferrari payback after missing out on the win at Monza.

“Great feel and control on the brake from Piastri. Tremendous confidence. I don’t think Leclerc expected him to make the move, because he just stayed wide on his line and made no attempt to defend him,” said Chandhok.

“Piastri was two car lengths behind the diffuser and just lunged down the inside. This was good, fair, and robust defence into Turn 2.”

F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan
Photo by James Sutton/Getty Images

McLaren leads in Constructors’ title after Azerbaijan Grand Prix

After a collision between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz in the closing stages of the race, it meant Red Bull lost out on a potential 18 points.

With Piastri’s win and Lando Norris being promoted to fourth, it enabled McLaren to overtake Red Bull and lead by 20 points heading into the final seven races.

It is the first time they have led a Constructors’ Championship since 2014, having emerged as the highest points scorers in the last six races.

With more performances from both Piastri and Norris, it could enable McLaren to win their first Constructors’ title since the 1998 season.