Race Changing Moments: 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The highs and lows that made Baku another race to remember.

With

the

longest

straight

the

season

(2.2km

exact)

and

some

insanely

tight

and

twisty

sections,

the

Azerbaijan

Grand

Prix

always

guaranteed

deliver

some

high-octane

action.

Here

are

the

moments

from

the

first

sprint

weekend

the

season

that

made

what

was…

The

Front

Row

Shootout

The Front Row Shootout

Sergio Pérez started the 17-lap sprint race in P2 behind Charles Leclerc and bided his time. well, knowing full well his RB19 would have what it takes to cinch the lead from the Ferrari driver. On lap eight as they powered along the 2km start/finish straight, Checo had his DRS wide open and flew in front of Leclerc into turn one and he was away. Just two laps later the Bull had pulled away from the Ferrari and was out of DRS range claiming the Sprint Race victory.

Hole

Lot

Contact

A Hole Lot Of Contact

It could have been a different story in the sprint race if Max’s sidepod hadn’t developed a huge hole in it after a collision with George Russell in the opening few turns of the race. Obviously, a hole in a sidepod isn’t great for aerodynamics, but the Bull was strong and even though he was losing an estimated 0.8s per lap in drag, he was able to bring his stricken RB19 home in P3.

Straight

Line

Spectacle

Straight Line Spectacle

Charles Leclerc started Sunday’s race on pole, but he wasn’t going to keep his lead for long. After the opening three laps, DRS was enabled and second-placed Max Verstappen, opened up his rear wing and swept passed the Ferrari at the start of the fourth lap to take the lead in the race.

Checo was soon to follow suit and was in Leclerc’s mirrors in no time before pulling the same move as his teammate and soaring into P2. Once again, he was away quickly and the Ferrari driver was out of DRS and unable to fight back.

Unfortunate

Timing

Unfortunate Timing

The yellow flags were waved on lap 10 due to Nyck De Vries’ AlphaTauri stopping on track. The Team quickly called in Max, but as he pulled into the pits, the Safety Car was deployed, costing Max his advantage. The chasing pack pitted the following lap and Max found himself behind Checo and Charles Leclerc.

After the Safety Car returned to the pits, Max made short work of Leclerc, but was unable to catch his teammate and brought home another one-two finish for our unstoppable duo.

The

King

the

Streets

Returns

The King of the Streets Returns

Checo’s sixth career win – fifth on a street circuit – and his second in Azerbaijan means he becomes the first Formula one driver to win twice in Baku. It’s also the first time Checo has won a race for a second time at a circuit. Well, as Checo said after the race he’s won here ‘two-and-a-half times’ as he took the sprint as well.

Counting

The

One-Twos

Counting The One-Twos

With Checo and Max on the top two steps of the podium again, it makes eight one-two finished for the Bulls. Three of which have come this season already – and we’ve only just completed round four! It’s testament to the Team and how good the RB19 is. Here’s to it continuing in Miami next weekend.