Max Verstappen confronts George Russell after collision in Azerbaijan
Charles Leclerc saw off Max Verstappen to put his Ferrari on pole position for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen and Leclerc set identical times in their opening Q3 laps in Baku before the Monegasque returned for a final run to beat his Red Bull rival by 0.188 seconds.
Sergio Perez qualified third ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton fifth, 0.974 sec off the pace. Formula One bosses have tinkered with the weekend format here in Baku by introducing two qualifying sessions.
Perez won Saturday’s sprint race, overtaking Leclerc, while Verstappen and George Russell were at loggerheads after a collision.
Follow live F1 updates with The Independent – the race starts at midday (BST).
BREAKING: Nico Hulkenberg to start from the pit lane
The Haas driver only qualified in P17 but due to a required set up change, the German will start this race from the pit lane.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 09:56
Here are the Driver Standings after the sprint race
Driver Standings
1) Max Verstappen – 75 points
2) Sergio Perez – 62 points
3) Fernando Alonso – 48 points
4) Lewis Hamilton – 40 points
5) Carlos Sainz – 24 points
6) George Russell – 23 points
7) Lance Stroll – 19 points
8) Charles Leclerc – 13 points
9) Lando Norris – 8 points
10) Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points
11) Valtteri Bottas – 4 points
12) Esteban Ocon – 4 points
13) Oscar Piastri – 4 points
14) Pierre Gasly – 4 points
15) Zhou Guanyu – 2 points
16) Yuki Tsunoda – 1 point
17) Kevin Magnussen – 1 point
19) Logan Sargeant – 0 points
20) Nyck de Vries – 0 points
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 09:51
Sergio Perez wins sprint race at Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Max Verstappen vents fury
Perez started second before moving ahead of Leclerc on lap eight of 17 in Baku to take the chequered flag 4.4 seconds clear. Max Verstappen finished third, one spot ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell. Lewis Hamilton started sixth and finished seventh.
Perez’s win reduced the deficit to Verstappen in the driver’s standings from 15 points to 13 ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 09:42
Max Verstappen confronts George Russell and launches furious rant after collision
Russell, starting in fourth, launched himself down the inside at turn two on the opening lap – and the pair touched.
Russell took third place, with Verstappen livid and making his feelings known over team radio.
The Dutchman did take back the position after a safety car shortly after, but with a huge hold on the sidepod of the Red Bull, Verstappen confronted Russell in parc ferme straight after the race finished.
Russell said: “It wasn’t on purpose, I had no grip,” with Verstappen replying: “Mate we all have no grip.”
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 09:35
Azerbaijan Grand Prix latest race updates with Charles Leclerc on pole
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku!
It’s round four of the 2023 season and after the sprint race on Saturday, won by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, it’s now time for the serious stuff!
Charles Leclerc starts on pole, with Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row. Perez is third, with Carlos Sainz in fourth and Lewis Hamilton in fifth!
Stay right here for all the news and build-up – the race starts at midday (BST)!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson30 April 2023 09:28
