F1 Azerbaijan GP Results

The 2023 F1 Azerbaijan GP was a dramatic and unpredictable race that saw Sergio Perez claim a win for Red Bull after a late twist. The result has helped his chances in the 2023 F1 standings. The Mexican driver started from third place and moved up to second after Charles Leclerc, who had taken pole position, dropped back in the opening laps.

In this article, we will review the highlights and results of the 2023 F1 Azerbaijan GP, the fourth round of the season and one of the most exciting races in recent memory.

2023 F1 Standings Azerbaijan – 28 April to 30 April

azerbaijan track

If anyone wanted a return to the old ways after the long 2023 F1 Season break between the Australian and Azerbaijan events, they were going to be disappointed.

In the week before the event the whole schedule was turned on its head and now looked as follows.

DateEventTime (BST)
Friday 28 AprilPractice 110:30-11:30
Friday 28 AprilQualifying14:00-15:00
Saturday 29 AprilSprint Shootout09:30-10:14
Saturday 29 AprilSprint14:30-15:30
Sunday 30 AprilRace12:00

The Friday qualifying session determined the Sunday grid and the Saturday Sprint Shoot out (fancy term for quali) determined the grid for the Saturday Sprint.

Azerbaijan F1 – The Saturday Sprint

Charles Leclerc took pole position for the Sprint with Sergio Perez beside him, Max Verstappen and George Russel in third and fourth position behind them.

Charles Leclerc was unable to hold of a dominant Sergio Perez in the mighty Red bull, and finished second.

Max Verstappen And George Russel Collide!

From the grid Max came under immediate pressure from Russell and an exciting tussle followed through the opening corners.

With the both drivers not giving an inch and going wheel-to-wheel, Russell locked his wheels into Turn 2 and came together into Verstappen’s side, before eventually passing the Red Bull at Turn 3.

Max was very unhappy and continued to vent over the radio for the next few laps

Did he really drive into the side? I don’t understand how he can keep the position and he is damaging my car!

Max Verstappen

The race director saw it differently and ruled the collision as a racing incident.

max damage

The collision caused a visible hole in Max’s left hand sidepod. Max drove a masterful race in his damaged car and achieved third place. At the end of the race Max had some choice words to say to George.

Meet “Dickhead” And “Princess George”

“Dickhead” and “Princess George” were two of the unflattering titles which Verstappen hurled at Russell following the sprint.

Vertsappen insulting George

You can almost hear the insults!

Max Verstappen being a gentleman and as eminently gracious as he always is!

In the subsequent media briefings both drivers shared a different view!

Amusingly Lando Norris joked about it.

“I told him earlier he just needs to watch out he doesn’t run into anyone today.”

Lando Norris Joking about the George Russel / Max Verstappen spat

He did however tell George Russell that he takes Russel’s on the incident.

“I’m actually on your side George so you’re good mate,”

Norris revealed

Yuki Tsunoda Lost A Wheel!

Yuki Tsunoda had an interesting race. Towards the end of the opening lap his AlphaTauri only had three wheels attached and the fourth was seen rolling down the Baku City Circuit some way behind.

The damage was caused when he hit the wall on the approach to Turn 15. He made it back to the pits on three wheels (after a virtual, and then full safety car was deployed.)

The team checked for damage and sent him back on track! The suspension ultimately failed and he was recalled to the pit where the car was withdrawn and his race was over.

The stewards fined the team €5000 because they sent a potentially dangerous car out on track.

The final sprint results are listed below.

PositionDriverPoints
1stSergio Perez, Red Bull8
2ndCharles Leclerc, Ferrari7
3rdMax Verstappen, Red Bull6
4thGeorge Russel, Merecedes5
5thCarlos Sainz, Ferrari 4
6thFernando Alonso, Aston Martin3
7thLewis Hamilton, Mercedes2
8thLance Stroll, Aston Martin1
9thAlexander Albon, Williams0
10thOscar Piastri, McLaren0

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F1 Standings Azerbaijan F1 – The Main Race On Sunday

Most of the teams started the race on medium compound tires. Only De Vries, Ocon and Hulkenberg chose to run a strategic race on hard compounds.

With Charles Leclerc sitting on pole, Max Verstappen next to him, Sergio Perez and Sainz behind this was not going to be a boring race.

Charles had a smooth start and was in front when they got to turn 1. Perez and Verstappen stayed behind him. Sainz, Hamilton and Alonso made up the next three cars.

Verstappen stayed on Leclerc’s tail but chose to bide his time and to wait for the RS to be activated before overtaking.

As has become a common feature with the Red Bull, Max shot past Charles with DRS activated. Perez waited another lap and then did the same.

F1 Standings Azerbaijan F1 – The First Pit Stops

Lewis Hamilton pitted for soft tires on lap 10. At this point Perez started to close the 1.5 second gap with Max who was struggling with grip.

F1 Standings Azerbaijan F1 – The Safety Car Is Deployed

On lap 11 Devries hit the wall on turn 5 which resulted in a safety car. Verstappen pitted immediately and In a masterful move Sergio pitted and ended up in front of the pack.

The safety car was released on lap 13 and in the process, over the next few laps George Russel lost two places to Stroll and Hamilton.

Sergio Perez took his second win of the season followed by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton.

PositionDriverTeamTime/
Retired
Prs
1Sergio PerezRed Bull1:32:42.43625
2Max VerstappenRed Bull+2.137s18
3Charles LeclercFerrari+21.217s15
4Fernando AlonsoAston Martin+22.024s12
5Carlos SainzFerrari+45.491s10
6Lewis HamiltonMercedes+46.145s8
7Lance StrollAston Martin+51.617s6
8George RussellMercedes+74.240s5
9Lando NorrisMcLaren+80.376s2
10Yuki TsunodaAlphatauri+83.862s1
11Oscar PiastriMcLaren+86.501s0
12Alexander AlbonWilliams+88.623s0
13Kevin MagnussenHaas+89.729s0
14Pierre GaslyAlpine+91.332s0
15Esteban OconAlpine+97.794s0
16Logan SargeantWilliams+100.943s0
17Nico HulkenbergHaas+1 lap0
18Valtteri BottasAlfa Romeo+1 lap0
NCZhou GuanyuAlfa RomeoDNF0
NCNyck De VriesAlphatauriDNF0

George Russell scored an additional point for setting the fastest lap of the race.

Max Verstappen Accidentally Swopped Places On The Podium

Nobody seems too have notices possibly because of the problems with Esteban Ocon in the pitlane, but Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc swopped their places around. Max stood in the No 3 spot on the right of Perez and Charles in the No 2 spot on the left of Perez.

The amusing thing is that no-one seems to have noticed until after the event!

Max and Charles swop places

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References

F1 Official Web Site

By Jonny Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jonny Noble I’m a dedicated F1 Writer – and I’ve Been One for Over Four Decades, I’ve been intimately immersed in the world of Formula One for more than 44 years. That’s longer than most professional commentators can boast! As an independent writer, I offer a unique perspective on the entire F1 landscape, free from biases that might cloud the discussion. We dive deep into the exhilarating, frustrating, and captivating facets of the F1 universe. So, regardless of my amateur status, one thing is undeniable: four decades of dedicated F1 fandom have forged strong opinions worth exploring!