The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a thrilling race
Introduction:
The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a thrilling race, with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez emerging as the winner in a stunning 1-2 finish for the team. The Baku street circuit is known for its unpredictable nature, and the race lived up to its reputation with plenty of drama and excitement throughout. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how Perez and Red Bull managed to come out on top, as well as analyze the key moments and talking points from the race.
Red Bull’s Dominance Continues:
The 2023 Formula 1 season has been dominated by Red Bull so far, with the team winning all but one of the races leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Max Verstappen has been the standout performer, winning four of the five races and establishing a commanding lead in the drivers’ championship. However, Perez has also been impressive in his first season with the team, scoring consistent podium finishes and proving to be a valuable support driver to Verstappen.
In Baku, Red Bull’s dominance continued, with both Verstappen and Perez topping the timesheets in all three practice sessions. Qualifying saw Verstappen take pole position, with Perez starting alongside him in second place. The stage was set for another dominant Red Bull performance, and the team did not disappoint.
The Race:
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix got off to a dramatic start, with a collision between Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly on the opening lap. The incident brought out the safety car and forced several drivers to take evasive action to avoid the debris on the track. Verstappen managed to maintain his lead at the restart, with Perez close behind in second place.
The first round of pit stops saw Verstappen maintain his lead, but Perez was able to close the gap and put pressure on his teammate. Verstappen appeared to be struggling with his tires, and Perez seized the opportunity to take the lead on lap 24. From there, the Mexican driver never looked back, extending his lead over Verstappen and ultimately crossing the finish line in first place.
Verstappen, meanwhile, was unable to keep up with Perez’s pace and had to settle for second place. Nevertheless, the result was a strong one for the Dutch driver, who extended his lead in the drivers’ championship to 26 points over his nearest rival, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Behind the Red Bulls, there was plenty of action throughout the race. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton recovered from a poor qualifying performance to finish third, while his teammate Valtteri Bottas could only manage sixth place. Ferrari’s Leclerc finished fourth, ahead of the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.
Talking Points:
The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix provided plenty of talking points, both on and off the track. Here are some of the key topics of discussion:
- Perez’s Second Consecutive Win
Sergio Perez’s victory in Baku was his second in a row, following his triumph at the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks earlier. The Mexican driver has settled in well at Red Bull and is proving to be a valuable asset to the team. With his consistent podium finishes and now back-to-back wins, Perez is showing that he is more than just a support driver to Verstappen.
- Verstappen’s Struggles
For much of the race, it looked like Verstappen was on course for another victory. However, the Dutch driver appeared to struggle with his tires as the race went on, and he was ultimately unable to keep up with Perez’s pace. It remains to be seen whether this was just a one-off issue or a sign that Red Bull’s dominance may be starting to wane.