F1 2023: Sergio Perez takes Azerbaijan GP Sprint victory as Ferrari bounces back

After a three week break, Formula One finally returned this weekend for the fourth round of the 2023 season at the Baku City Circuit i.e. the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With the Qualifying for the main race tomorrow already concluded, the Sprint Shootout and Sprint were held today, and it was Red Bull Racing's Sergio Perez who emerged as a winner, taking his first ever Sprint victory.

Despite starting from Pole and putting on a brave show throughout the 100 km race, Charles Leclerc was overtaken fairly quickly by Sergio Perez, and the lead only went on to increase with each passing lap. Yuki Tsunoda's nudge into the barriers early on resulted in the deployment of Safety Car, and brought an end to his Sprint. As the race resumed, Max Verstappen managed to pass George Russell for P3, while Fernando Alonso also made a move on Lewis Hamilton for one position.




Here is a list of all the eight point scorers at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint race:

1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +8 points

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +7 points

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +6 points

4. George Russell (Mercedes) +5 points

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +4 points

6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +3 points

7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +2 points

8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +1 point

Do note that the result of the Sprint race does not have any impact on the main Grand Prix race set to take place tomorrow. For the 2023 season, the Sprint format has been established as a separate race, which will be held on Saturdays. Other Sprint races this season include Austria, Belgium, Qatar, USA and Sao Paulo.




As for tomorrow's GP, Charles Leclerc starts on Pole again, ahead of Verstappen and Perez in P2 and P3 respectively. Leclerc's partner Sainz takes P4, while Lewis Hamilton (P5) and Fernando Alonso (P6) will be sharing the third row. Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Lance Stroll, and Oscar Piastri will be lining up from seventh to tenth respectively.

Stay tuned to TOI Auto for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix race report tomorrow!Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.