F1 2023, Sergio Perez wins Azerbaijan GP: Key stats
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez held off defending Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday. Red Bull dominated the scenes once again to claim top two as Verstappen followed suit. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took third place to complete the podium finish in Baku. Earlier, Perez overtook Leclerc to win the sprint at the Azerbaijan GP. Here's more.
Perez wins his second race this season and sixth overall
Perez claimed his sixth career F1 win and also secured his 29th podium finish. In 2023, this was Perez's second race win. He had earlier won the Saudi Arabian GP. Perez started the year with a second-place finish in Bahrain. He won in Saudi Arabia next before finishing fifth in Australia. And now, he claimed his second race win and third podium in 2023.
3rd successive win for Red Bull in Baku
Red Bull claimed their third one-two finish this season from four races. At the Azerbaijan GP, Red Bull have now won for the third successive season. In 2021, Red Bull saw Perez win here. In 2022, Verstappen sealed the deal. Notably, for the second successive year, Red Bull have claimed a one-two finish here in Baku.
81st podium finish for Verstappen
Verstappen secured a fourth successive podium finish in 2023, winning the Bahrain GP and then taking second place in Jeddah. He won the Australian GP. He has now sealed his 81st podium finish. Notably, he won a record 15 races in the 2022 season. Verstappen's 15 F1 race wins last season were the most by an individual in a single campaign.
Leclerc claims his maiden podium finish in 2023
Leclerc claimed his maiden podium finish this season. He retired in Bahrain before finishing seventh in Saudi. He had to face another retirement in Australia before finishing amongst the points here in Baku. Leclerc claimed his 25th career podium finish.
Azerbaijan GP: A look at the top 10 drivers
1) Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 4) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 5) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 6) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 7) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 8) George Russell (Mercedes) 9) Lando Norris (McLaren) 10) Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
Driver and Constructor standings
Verstappen leads the 2023 F1 season with 87 points from four races. Perez is second on 79. An in-form Alonso is placed third, having claimed 57 points. Hamilton follows suit with 46 points. In terms of the Constructor standings, Red Bull Racing lead the way with 166 points. Aston Martin are second (83 points) and are placed above Mercedes (69 points).
Perez wins sprint race
Mexican Perez, who qualified second to Leclerc in the sprint shootout on Saturday, passed the Ferrari shortly after an early safety-car period. Verstappen finished third after his car suffered damage in an early collision with George Russel, who took fourth from Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.
Perez keeps Verstappen at bay to win in Baku
Perez and Verstappen fought a superb battle after the former leapfrogged ahead, saving time by making his pit stop under the safety car. Perez held Verstappen before gaining an edge further ahead in the closing stages. Leclerc, who started the race from the pole, was soon dispatched by both Red Bulls. He won a tight battle with Alonso for third place.
