Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP 2023 Highlights: Sergio Perez wins; Verstappen, Leclerc in podium

Welcome to the live blog of the Formula 1 (F1) Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Catch the Azerbaijan GP 2023 Race Live! Wait for 30 seconds for full page to load.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc grabbed his first pole position of the season ahead of both Red Bull drivers as Formula 1 finally returned for the fourth round of the 2023 season after a month-long break. Leclerc also took pole for the Sprint Race, but couldn't convert it into a win, finishing second behind Sergio Perez but ahead of the Mexican's Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen.

He will once again start in pole position in the main race and will hope to convert it into a maiden win for the season. Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez follows the Ferrari driver in the first row at P2 and P3 respectively. The other Ferrari driver Carlos is in the second row at P4 ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in P5 and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin in P6.

The Formula 1 2023 season is all set to once again make its way into the middle east, as it is time for the streets of Baku to get lit up by the swift and rapid cars racing in Azerbaijan GP 2023 through the tight and tricky tracks of the Baku City Circuit.

The Azerbaijan GP 2023, will mark a historic and revolutionary event in F1, as this will be the very first time, that the new weekend format, will be implemented. Courtesy of renewed plans for the weekend, the following will be the proceedings for the Azerbaijan GP.

Also Read:

• Formula 1: Three key battles to watch out for in Azerbaijan GP 2023
• Azerbaijan GP 2023 Sprint Race Highlights: Sergio Perez wins, Leclerc, Verstappen in top three
• Formula 1: Azerbaijan GP 2023 Qualifying Highlights: Charles Leclerc takes pole, Red Bull 2-3
• Formula 1: Top five unforgettable moments from Azerbaijan GP
• What is F1 sprint race? Points, grid lineup and everything else explained
• Formula 1: Updated F1 Azerbaijan GP 2023 timings
• Formula 1: Top three racers favourite to win Azerbaijan GP 2023
• Formula 1: Are any F1 teams bringing upgrades to Azerbaijan GP 2023?
• Why was there a two-week break before the 2023 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
• F1 Azerbaijan GP: Track difficulty, past winners and favourites

On Friday morning, a solitary practice session will take place, after which we will have the qualifying session for the main race on Sunday. 

The next day on Saturday, a one-lap qualifying for the sprint race will take place in the morning, which will be followed by the 21-lap sprint race. On Sunday, the old-fashioned race will take place.

Driver’s championship

Max Verstappen is currently leading the world Championship race, with a total of 69 points, as his fellow Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez tails him with just 15 points adrift. Veterans Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton come next, with 45 and 38 points respectively. 

After a long four-week rest, the drivers will once again be ready, to take it to the tracks in the demanding roads of Baku, where even the slightest mistakes are punished quickly and severely.