La Formula 1 restarts the engines on the atypical Azerbaijani weekend, and does so with theyet another Red Bull double. The winner of yesterday's sprint he repeats his success on Sunday as well, bringing his teammate closer in the standings. To Perez's success is added theexcellent performance by Ferrari, which seems to see the light at the end of the tunnel after a disappointing start.
Leclerc's excellent start is not enough: Verstappen and Perez are in charge
After the magical pole position in qualifying on Friday, Charles Leclerc had the opportunity to dream of a better result than that of the sprint. The departure of the Monegasque was excellent. The number 16 initially managed to hold off the Red Bull duo, but once the drs chorus started there wasn't much to do. Verstappen first and then Perez stripped the paint off Leclerc's SF-23 without too much difficulty, thanks to an unparalleled top speed - about six km/h on average on a Ferrari with open drs - .
Excellent departure of Stroll and surpasses Norris. The companion of the Canadian Fernando Alonso pitfalls the historical rival that rhymes with Lewis Hamilton but is unsuccessful. A difficult initial phase for the seven-time world champion, who returns on lap ten and rebuilds an excellent race. To underline the contact between Albon and Piastri, bottled in the bottlenecks of the Azerbaijani city. A difficult initial stage for most riders started with yellow rubber: both graining and sliding.
The safety car shuffles the cards
On lap 10 a flash. Nick DeVries makes a long just before the castle section e causes yellow flag. The race direction approves the exit of the safety car which disadvantages Verstappen in favor of Leclerc and Perez. The Dutchman puts on the hard tire just before the service car enters, and Perez takes advantage of it to become leader. At the restart, Leclerc doesn't last long, being overtaken by number 1 just after the restart, also performed without a hitch by Perez. Interesting anecdote at the entrance to the pits, where Russell dangerously flanks Stroll with cynicism and cunning. Everything is OK.
The excellent Ferrari signs and the Aston Martin rebirth
In the first race after what was effectively a summer break 2.0 Maranello launches a signal. The SF-23 has potential, and to testify it was the performance of Leclerc. The Monegasque makes one of his best performances, with one manual rubber management. The Madrid player from Aston Martin tried until the end, in a chronometric duel with Leclerc fought to the sound of the best sectors. Therefore, the signals from the English manufacturer are also excellent, which after the sixth and eighth place yesterday gave hope for today's race, also thanks to the doubts about the adaptability of the AMR23 in such a track. Mercedes is more anonymous, paying for a step that isn't up to par and is satisfied with the crumbs of the former.
The final grid
The Red Bull double is followed by a fantastic Charles Leclerc who conquers his first podium of the season. He tried Alonso but you have to settle for fourth. Limit the damage Sainz, which despite the subdued weekend keeps the danger Hamilton at bay. Stroll precedes Russell, both more in difficulty than their companions. He does what he can too Norris, that seals the top ten together with Tsunoda (tenth). He doesn't do better than eleventh position Piastres, just ahead of usual Albon who tries hard to try to remove Williams from tenth position in the constructors, without success. Sergeant is sixteenth, more in difficulty. The Haas of Magnussen e Hulkenberg I'm 13th and 17th. Work hard for too Alpha Tauri, which could accuse the recent change of leadership: gasly 14th and Or with 15th. Closes a Alfa Romeo disappointing: Bottas eighteenth and Zhou withdrew due to a problem. Last De Vries after the mistake before the castle section.
