Continuing his dominance of street courses, Sergio Perez overtook pole sitter Charles LeClerc midway through Saturday’s Baku Sprint Race to stand on the top step of the podium for the second time in 2023. The seventeen lap affair was largely processional after a multiple lap delay comprised of a virtual safety car and standard safety car were called out as a result of Yuki Tsunoda’s brush against the wall. The impact tore apart his right rear wheel, scattering magnesium wheel debris across the circuit as the tire broke free and came to rest on the racing line.
Formula 1’s Sprint Race Format Explained
The most interesting battle of note was between Mercedes’ George Russell and Max Verstappen. The two tangled multiple times on the first lap, leading to contact between the pair that resulted in a damaged sidepod for Verstappen. After the race, Verstappen, who finished 3rd, had a heated exchange with Russell post race that caught the Briton off guard.
George Russell reflects on the opening lap with Verstappen 😅#AzerbaijanGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/ar7jEZTBvX
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 29, 2023
Max Verstappen did not hold back on his thoughts regarding Russell's Lap 1 moves 😬#AzerbaijanGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/Fc0W9fTUMU
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 29, 2023
All eyes turn to tomorrow’s main race, with Charles LeClerc once again leading the Red Bull’s into turn one, as the Ferrari driver looks to secure a positive result on what has been a dismal year.
