Formula 1: Five key takeaways from Azerbaijan GP 2023

Published at :May 1, 2023 at 8:16 PM

Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM

(Courtesy : Rappler)

Yet another dominant show from Red Bull who continue to lead both the F1 standings.

Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen finished 1st and 2nd position respectively at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP 2023, while Charles Leclerc who started in the pole position for the main race, finished off in the third spot. After Verstappen and Perez overtook Leclerc, then the battle for the win till the final lap was between both Red Bulls drivers.

Veteran driver and two-time champion, Fernando Alonso finished in the 4th spot, while Leclerc teammate, Carlos Sainz finished in the 5th position in the main race. The eight-time constructor champions, Mercedes had one positive as Geroge Russel had the fastest lap and earned one extra point at the end, as he finished in 8th position on Sunday.

Mexican driver, Perez also became the first F1 driver to win two races at Azerbaijan GP. No driver since its inaugural race was not able to win back-to-back races in this circuit, as it has an anti-clockwise layout and narrow passes have often created difficulties for drivers to repeat their successful performance.

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Key takeaways from Azerbaijan GP 2023

Sergio Perez creates history

Mexican driver, Perez also became the first F1 driver to win two races at Baku, since its inaugural race in 2016, as the 33-year-old won the 2021 Azerbaijan GP, while the last season's winner at the Azerbaijan race, a two-time champion, Max finished behind his teammate.

Charles Leclerc couldn’t hold pole position

Charles Leclerc, having secured the pole position after the qualifying session on Friday, couldn’t hold it and in the initial phase of the main race gave his lead to the Red Bull duo. In lap 4, Verstappen overtook Leclerc with ease down the main straight to take the lead. He was closing in and closing in and the overtake was inevitable,

Whereas after lap 6, Perez went past Ferrari, the overtake in the main race by the UK-based team, clearly showed Red Bull Racing RB 19 car's dominance. But it was a smooth and easy win for Perez, as he won the sixth race of his career.

Esteban Ocon pit lane incident

It was also the late drama at the end of the main race, with Esteban Ocon taking his mandatory pit-stop for avoiding disqualification in the final lap. It nearly led to an accident with all photographers and cameramen in the paddock ready to take pictures of the race winner, as Perez was cruising towards the chequered flag.

Red Bull’s dominance in 2023 season

With the win at Azerbaijan GP 2023, Perez has cut short Verstappen's lead at the Driver Standings with a second win in 2023. Now both Red Bull drivers share two wins each this season, as the Mexican has 87 points and the Dutch driver is at the top with 93 after the end of four races till now.

Max Verstappen’s runners-up finish creates trivia

Two-time world champion, Verstappen won the Azerbaijan GP in 2022 and finished in second place this yea. This has created interesting ‘Trivia’, as in 2018, Hamilton won the race, but in the next season, he finished in the second spot, while in 2021 Red Bull’s Perez won the race but in 2022 finished as runner-up at Azerbaijan GP.

Now, the F1 schedule will be up for the Miami GP for the next race weekend, which will start on May 6, with the five-time champion, Red Bull dominating this season, as both of their drivers won two races each, it will interesting to see will Perez be able to go past his teammate in Florida, USA to take the top spot at 2023 Driver Standings.