Sergio Perez overtakes Charles Leclerc to win first sprint race of F1 2023 in Baku
Starting from second on the grid, Perez remained behind Leclerc in the opening phase of the race which was halted by a Safety Car period due t🌊o Yuki Tsunoda.
Once Tsunoda’s debris and wheeꦫl was cleared it wasn’t long until Perez powered past Leclerc into Turn 1.
Perez t☂ook the lead on Lap 8 of the sprint before opening up a comfortable 4.4s lead over Leclerc to take the victory.
Leclerc kept Verstappen behind at the chequered flag, with the Red Bull driver nursing mi🍰nor floor damage following contact with George Russell on the opening lap.
Once Verstappen got past Russell, having lost out on Lap 1, the Mercedes driver settled into fourth behind the leadin🧸g trio.
Carlos Sainz finished fifth after overtaking Lewis Hamilton at the Safeꦰty Car restart, fending off Fernando Alonso in sixth.
Hamil🐲ton finished seventh, while Lance Stroll rounded out the points in the sprint after overtaking Alex Albon on Lap 12 at Tu🐬rn 1.
Albon was ninth ahead of Osca﷽r🤪 Piastri, who rounded out the top 10.
Piastri enjoyed a strong sprint race, overtaking McLaren teammate Lando Norris early on, who was forced into a pit stop after starting☂ o♈n the less durable softs.
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