Max Verstappen faces George Russell after crash in Azerbaijan
Charles Leclerc saw off Max Verstappen to put his Ferrari on lead for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen and Leclerc set similar times in their opening Q3 laps in Baku prior to the Monegasque returned for a last go to beat his Red Bull competitor by 0.188 seconds.
Sergio Perez certified 3rd ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton 5th, 0.974 sec off the rate. Formula One employers have actually played with the weekend format here in Baku by presenting 2 certifying sessions.
Perez won Saturday’s sprint race, surpassing Leclerc, while Verstappen and George Russell were at loggerheads after a crash.
Follow live F1 updates with The Independent – the race began at midday (BST).
Sergio Perez after his success:
“It was very close between us, we pushed to the maximum today. The way Max pushed me was really hard but we kept it under control.
“I had a little bit of luck that the front-right didn’t blow up [when he hit the wall].”
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 14:12
Time for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix podium!
Sergio Perez is a happy man as the Mexican nationwide anthem rings out in Baku!
His 6th win in Formula 1!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 14:01
Charles Leclerc, speaking after a 3rd location surface
“Red Bull are in another league when it comes to the race. Over 51 laps it was just not possible. They found something that we didn’t yet.”
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:47
Top-10 in Baku!
8) George Russell (+1, fastest lap)
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:41
Sergio Perez wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix!
What a success for Sergio Perez – he takes his 2nd win of the season and, like 2021, wins in Baku!
Max Verstappen comes home 2nd, with Charles Leclerc clinching the very first podium of the season for Ferrari!
“We cannot have problems like Melbourne, we are in this fight,” Perez beams over group radio!
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:40
Esteban Ocon pits and there’s individuals in the pit lane! (Lap 51/51)
Esteban Ocon almost running over some professional photographers in the pit lane!
That might’ve been devastating. Shocking organisation!
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:37
George Russell pits for soft tires (Lap 50/51)
George Russell now has one chance to set a fastest lap with soft tires!
He will come out and keep 8th position to Esteban Ocon in ninth – however the Frenchman still needs to pit.
Nico Hulkenberg now lastly pits too…
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:36
Sergio Perez has a three-second benefit to Max Verstappen (Lap 49/51)
Sergio Perez a comfy 3 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen as this race nears its conclusion!
Fernando Alonso has actually set a brand-new fastest lap – however the Mercedes garage are preparing themselves for George Russell to come in to set the fastest lap on softs!
Three laps to go. Not been the very best race – will we get any sort of late drama?
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:33
Lando Norris surpasses Nico Hulkenberg (Lap 47/51)
Lando Norris lastly surpasses Nico Hulkenberg – he takes him at turn 7, after the Haas secured out of turn 5!
Norris into the points in P10!
Meanwhile, Zhou Guanyu has actually retired from the race – a woeful weekend for Alfa Romeo, with Valtteri Bottas last!
As for Lewis Hamilton behind Carlos Sainz? He’s dropped to over a 2nd behind…
Five laps to go, 1-10: Perez, Verstappen, Leclerc, Alonso, Sainz, Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Ocon, Norrris
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:30
Lewis Hamilton closing in on Carlos Sainz (Lap 42/51)
Lewis Hamilton within half-a-second of Sainz now in the fight for P5 – can the Mercedes get it done quickly?
Meanwhile, Mercedes may pit George Russell in a bit – he’s got a huge space to Ocon behind him (who needs to pit), so Russell might pit and keep position – and choose the additional fastest-lap point!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 13:20
