The Red Bull driver won the eight points allocated to the winner of this first sprint race on Saturday. Starting on pole, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) offers his team the first podium of his season.
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“If victory is not possible, you have to take the maximum. Today, there was nothing more to do”, summarized Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), at the end of the sprint race of the Azerbaijan GP, won on Saturday April 29 by Sergio Pérez (Red Bull). Despite a very good momentum at the start, the Monegasque, who started on pole, could not cope with the power of the Red Bull. Being cheerfully overtaken once the DRS started at the border of the 7th and 8th lap.
Verstappen’s phlegm, Leclerc’s resistance
The race, which saw the Red Bulls settle on the podium again (Pérez winner and Max Verstappen third) confirmed the difference in pace which still separates the cars of this team from the rest of the grid. It would not have taken much longer for the Dutchman to take advantage of the wear of the Ferrari tires (a real weak point since the start of the season) to steal the place, but Leclerc managed to bring back the first podium of the season at the Scuderia.
Overtaken by George Russell (Mercedes) from the 3rd corner, the world champion did not panic, taking advantage of the safety car deployed after the loss of a wheel by Yuki Tsunoda during the first lap, to regain his position from the 6th round. On the French side, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon had to settle for 13th and 18th places.
Sunday, Charles Leclerc will once again start on pole on the Baku circuit, ahead of the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez. Hoping for a better outcome this time.
Relive the race
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