In the bustling streets of Baku, where the Formula 1 races are always a mixture of breathtaking speed and unexpected chaos, an incident broke loose yesterday that brought the entire paddock into turmoil. “Panic in Baku!”, Lewis Hamilton shouted about the team radio, loaded his voice with disbelief and urgency, while witnessing a shocking moment during the qualifying session for the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan. The seven-time world champion, now driving for Ferrari, immediately called on the FIA to start an urgent investigation into the unusual behavior of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso. Their actions that looked like a coordinated false start not only brought the race into turmoil, but also the minds of rivals and fans to the boiling point.
It was a sunny afternoon in the Azerbaijanan capital, with temperatures that only increase the tension on the challenging street circuit. Piastri, the 24-year-old Australian who excels this season as a leader in the championship with a lead of 31 points over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, was in ninth place on the grid. Behind him, Alonso, the two -time champion from Spain, lurked, who hoped to climb from the eleventh position in a weekend full of potential for Aston Martin. When the lights went out, it happened: both drivers shot ahead before the official signal, a classic false start that violates the rules of the FIA. Piastri dropped back to the twentieth position through the chaos, while Alonso was also punished with a drop in the starting setup. Hamilton, who left from pole position after a strong FP2 session in which he led Ferrari’s 1-2 with Charles Leclerc, saw the happening from his leading position. “What the hell is this? Panic in Baku! Fia, investigate this now!”, His radio call, a moment when it immediately went viral on social media and the broadcasts.
The FIA responded quickly. Within minutes after the start, Piastri and Alonso were summoned to the stewards, the jury who watches over sporting integrity. The research focused on the “Onunusual behavior”, as Hamilton described it: were these simple mistakes under pressure, or was there something sinisters in the air? Rumors in the Paddock pointed to possible team instructions or even sabotage, especially since McLaren is about to clinch the constructors title this weekend. If they beat Ferrari with nine points, the title is in – a milestone for the team that makes a comeback this year. Alonso, never afraid of controversy, reacted cool in his post-race interview: “It was a reflex, nothing more. Baku is a circuit that punishes you for a moment of inattention. Lewis exaggerates, as always.” But his words sounded hollow in the midst of the furious reactions.
Hamilton, who himself had a turbulent weekend with a Power Unit issue in FP1, did not leave it at that. After the race, where he narrowly became second behind Leclerc in a match dominated by Safety Cars, the Brit expressed its frustration in the press conference. “I have never seen anything like that. Two drivers, starting side by side, make exactly the same mistake? That smells of coordination. Safety is at stake, and the FIA must take this seriously. We race at the sharpest of the cut, but not at the expense of Fair Play.” His call led to a wave of support from fans and analysts. On X, formerly Twitter, the hashtag #paniekinbaku exploded, with memes of Hamilton’s screams and speculation about a “Baku-Complot”. Even Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver who struggles with a dip in shape, joined the discussion: “Hamilton is right. This type of incidents undermines the sport.”
Looking back on the sessions that preceded it, the weekend was already tense. In FP2, Norris crashed in turn four, which led to a red flag and a messy session for McLaren. Piastri hit the wall in turn 15, but escaped without damage – at least, physically. He already received a reprimand for ignoring yellow flags, his first of the season, which only increased pressure on the young Australian. “I was focused on the lights, but it went wrong. Sorry about the team,” Piastri said shortly after the race, his face turned out to be under the helmet. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, normally a model of calmness, called it “a learning moment” but could not hide his disappointment. The team, which took seven victories this year with Piastri’s dominant performances in Zandvoort and Monza, now risks points loss in the title fight.
The FIA’s preliminary findings, published shortly after midnight local time, point to “Mitigating circumstances” for both drivers: the bright sun and the pressure of the home crowd for Azerbaijan would play a role. Nevertheless, the federation announced an in-depth investigation, including telemetry analysis and testimonials. Punishing can vary from grid penalties to fines, but insiders whisper over possible disqualification if there is proof of intent. For Alonso, who already has a history with controversial starts-think of his Hungarian GP incident with Verstappen-this would throw a blemish on his legacy. The 44-year-old Spaniard, who will retire next year, laughed away: “If this is my farewell, then with a bang. But seriously, it was a mistake.”
The aftermath extends beyond the track. Sponsors of McLaren and Aston Martin, who invest billions in sport, demand transparency. Ferrari, with Hamilton and Leclerc who grabbed a 1-2 in the race, benefits indirectly: the title fight remains open, with eight races to go. Piastri’s lead shrinks through the chaos, and Norris sees a chance to hit back. Fans, divided as always, are fiercely debating: was it bad luck, or a moment of weakness in a sport where Milliseconds make kings and breaks?
While the sun goes over the Caspian Sea, the tension hangs in the air. Hamilton’s shout Echoot as a wake-up call for the FIA: in the world of Formula 1, where trust is the basis, one false start can shake a whole kingdom. The investigation is ongoing, and Bakus streets are waiting for justice. Or, as Hamilton would say: no more panic – but vigilance.
