McLaren has surged ahead in the 2024 Formula 1 constructors' championship following an impressive performance in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With Oscar Piastri claiming victory and Lando Norris finishing fourth, coupled with Sergio Perez's collision and Max Verstappen's struggles, McLaren now holds a 20-point lead in the championship standings.

The race in Baku showcased a missed opportunity for Verstappen in the drivers' championship battle. Despite being "there for the taking", the Red Bull driver escaped major damage thanks to Piastri's win. McLaren executed a remarkable race, considering their apparent pace deficit to Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes during Friday's practice sessions.

Piastri showcased exceptional driving skills, extracting revenge on Charles Leclerc for their previous encounter at Monza. Norris also delivered a brilliant performance, playing a key role in Piastri's victory by delaying Perez and aiding Piastri in avoiding the undercut strategy during pitstops.

McLaren's emergence as the front-runner in the constructors' championship is well-deserved, reflecting their significant progress in development and the availability of two top-quality drivers. Red Bull, although encouraged by Perez's performance, faces concerns over the lack of improvement in their slower driver's performance despite introducing upgrades.

Verstappen's recent struggles continue, with two races in a row outside the podium and his winless streak extending to seven races. While Norris encountered bad luck during qualifying, his fourth-place finish and ability to outperform Verstappen indicate a faint possibility of a drivers' championship fight, keeping hopes alive for McLaren.

The Baku race also shed light on an intriguing dilemma for Red Bull. Despite improvements in Perez's performance, the team found that there is potential in the car that Verstappen struggles to extract. If Verstappen learns from this experience, as he did in 2023 after his defeat to Perez, he can still fight for podium finishes and secure the championship.

Although Perez's form offers a silver lining for Red Bull, it may not be enough to overcome McLaren's superior car. The battle for the constructors' championship was already trending in McLaren's favor, and their current position as the frontrunner is likely to be maintained.

McLaren enjoyed a successful Sunday in Baku, with Piastri's victory from the front row and Norris's impressive charge from 15th to fourth place, including overtaking Verstappen. However, McLaren faltered in making public declarations of favoring Norris over Piastri before the weekend, creating unnecessary controversy.

The Baku Grand Prix did not drastically alter the landscape of the championships. While McLaren's lead in the constructors' championship was expected, Norris's limited gains indicate the challenge that lies ahead in catching up to Verstappen. History has shown the difficulty of making substantial points gains when playing catch-up, even with a stronger car.

The key questions persist on whether Red Bull can make significant strides with upcoming upgrades and if Norris can increase his points accumulation rate. With seven races and three sprints remaining, Norris needs to average nine points more per race than Verstappen to have a chance at the drivers' championship.

Red Bull faces the challenge of responding effectively to their decline in performance in recent races, with their previous dominance seemingly fading. However, if Verstappen can maintain his focus and avoid making costly errors, he remains the favorite for the drivers' championship.

As the championship races near their conclusion, the battle for the constructors' championship is expected to intensify. With McLaren leading the pack, and Red Bull and Ferrari in close pursuit, it is hoped that both championships will be determined in a thrilling fashion at the final race of the season.