FORMULA 1
Mexico’s Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez wins first ever Formula 1 sprint at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The Red Bull driver overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before the midway points of the race cuts the gap to Championship leader Max Verstappen.
Mexican Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez has won the first Formula 1 sprint race of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and secured his first victory in this type of event, which was first introduced into the sport in 2021. A solid drive from the Red Bull star saw him overtake Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after an early safety-car period before going on to cruise to first place.
Early collision between Verstappen and Russell
The start of the sprint saw Pérez initially remain in second place behind Leclerc, the positions in which the duo had qualified in the sprint shootout earlier on Saturday. Behind them, the Mexican’s teammate Max Vertsappen and Mercedes’ George Russell fought it out for third and fourth, with the Briton even sliding into the Championship leader at Turn Two.
AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda then hit the wall on Turn 15, causing him to lose a tyre and forcing first the virtual safety car, followed by the full safety car, into action while the debris was cleared.
Pérez overtakes Leclerc on the home straight
When the race restarted, Pérez waited patiently behind Leclerc before breezing past the Monégasque as soon as the DRS overtaking aid was enabled, overtaking the Ferrari on Turn 1 as they came down the home straight to begin lap 8.
From there on in, there was little doubt that the Mexican would go on to claim his first sprint victory. Leclerc pushed on and attempted to stick with Pérez for as long as possible but the Ferrari proved to be no match for the Red Bull, with ‘Checo’ setting several fastest laps as he went on to win the sprint by more than four seconds.
Pérez closes the gap to Verstappen
Pérez takes eight points for winning the sprint, while Verstappen, who finished third ahead of Russell, picks up six, which means the gap at the top of the overall standings has been cut to 13 points (75 to 62).
In Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Pérez will start from third place on the grid, behind Leclerc, who claimed pole in Friday’s qualifying, and Verstappen.