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Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP

F1 Azerbaijan GP Live Commentary and Updates – Race

Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, the rest of the field at the start of the Sprint

F1 is in Baku for round four, with Charles Leclerc beating the Red Bulls to pole in both qualifying sessions for the sprint and grand prix.

But after Leclerc lost out to Sergio Perez in the sprint race, the Ferrari driver will aim to fight back with a second shot from pole for the main race.

As part of the 2023 sprint race weekend format tweaks, the starting grid was decided by Friday’s qualifying session rather than the finishing order in the sprint race.

But both Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg will start from the pitlane due to car changes in parc ferme conditions.

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At the end of the first lap Leclerc is trying to break the DRS zone from Verstappen. DRS isn't enabled yet, but that's what cost Leclerc against Perez in the sprint.
Further back, there's the inevitable bunching at Turn 3 and several cars make light contact, including the McLarens and Williamses getting very close.
Lights green
Leclerc converts his pole into the lead and it is all well behaved behind him, with none of the frontrunners gaining or losing at the start.
Leclerc leads the pack around the formation lap and back to the starting grid, so here we go...
Green flag
The formation lap is under way, everyone away smoothly, so time to get those tyre temperatures in the right window.
Tyres news: Everyone starts on mediums apart from de Vries (18th), Ocon and Hulkenberg (both pitlane starters).
No driver has won two Azerbaijan GPs before, while Leclerc has never won the Azerbaijan GP. We've got a strong feeling one of those facts will change today.
10 minutes to go until the race start! Let's get this show on the road!
This year, Azerbaijan has excelled itself for the national anthem. For production value alone, that could rival a Eurovision entry. Outstanding.
At least none of the drivers or officials are late to the national anthem on the grid. Azerbaijan always puts on a show with its tune, too.
This extra 10 minutes of pre-race grid fun appears to have resulted in more time for standing around and taking selfies. You could get a sprint race run in this time waiting around.
Breaking news
For a more in-depth read on where the race will be won and lost, look no further:

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/how-a-hot-breezy-sunday-afternoon-could-end-ferraris-hopes-of-a-baku-f1-victory/10462825/
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, the rest of the field at the start

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, the rest of the field at the start

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

What to watch out for: Polesitter Leclerc will aim to fend off the charging Red Bulls but is braced for a tough task given the superior race pace of his rivals. Safety cars and red flags are a common occurrence in Baku, so strategies could be flipped in an instant.
Back to today's action, and the grid will comprise of 18 drivers because both Ocon and Hulkenberg are starting from pitlane due to respective car changes under parc ferme.
Photo

"I think you'll find you were in the wrong, dear sir."

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

An exchange of views is probably the most polite way we can put it between Verstappen and Russell. It wasn't quite Verstappen vs Ocon at Brazilian 2018, but they probably won't be sharing flights home.
In case you were pre-occupied yesterday and missed the action, here's a round-up: Perez won the sprint race overhauling polesitter Leclerc, with Verstappen third after an exchange of bodywork in the sprint and views straight after with Russell.
The drivers are already making their way to the starting grid on the reconnaissance laps, a small rule tweak from this round, meaning pitlane opens 10 minutes earlier than previous. Why? For extra grid activities!
Green flag
Hello one and all! After the sprint race starter, today is the main course, the full fat Azerbaijan GP which gets going in a little over 45 minutes.

By: Autosport Staff

Published: