F1 live: Sergio Perez beats Max Verstappen to win Azerbaijan ...

Sergio Perez has closed in on the lead in the Formula 1 drivers' championship with victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Key points:Sergio Perez takes his second grand prix victory of the seasonPerez also won the sprint race on Saturday at BakuOscar Piastri endured a frustrating race, finishing 12th

The Mexican beat his Red Bull teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen, taking advantage of an opportune safety car that promoted him to the lead.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc came third while Australian Oscar Piastri finished 12th following a frustrating race.

But the race was marred by a frightening incident at the end of the race, in which people had to jump out of the way of a car in the pit lane.

AlphaTauri driver Esteban Ocon came into the pits while Sergio Perez was on the final lap. Ocon had not made his mandatory pit stop and had to come in before the end of the race to avoid being disqualified.

However, people started crowding the pit lane, including photographers, marshalls and members of the victories Red Bull pit crew, according to Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz.

As Ocon came into the pits, he had to quickly slow down as people took evasive action to avoid the car.

"Oh what is this about? This is a shambles, absolute shambles," Kravitz said as Ocon came into the pits.

"It's a lucky escape I think," former driver Karun Chandhok said in commentary.

"Absolute madness to allow all those people into the pit lane when there is live racing on."

Perez secures win after fortunate safety car

Coming off winning the sprint race on Saturday, Perez came from third to win the main race around the streets of Baku.

Verstappen, who started second behind Leclerc, took the lead on lap 3 and was looking comfortable until a safety car on lap 11.

Verstappen pulled into the pits at the end of lap 10, after complaining to his team that he was sliding through the corners.

At a similar time, AlphaTauri driver Nick De Vries went off track which brought the safety car out.

The safety car hurt Verstappen, who could do nothing as Perez and Leclerc were able to pit while everyone else was driving slowly.

When the safety car pulled into the pits at the end of lap 13, Perez led Leclerc with Verstappen now third.

Verstappen overtook Leclerc on the first lap after the restart, but Perez was near-flawless for the rest of the grand prix.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan — April 30, 2023 Red Bull's Sergio Perez leads the field during the race. Reuters: Leonhard Foeger(Reuters: Leonhard Foeger)

The 33-year-old maintained a steady gap to his teammate, never looking threatened as he took his second win in four races this season.