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Aston Martin assess their chances of hunting down Red Bull this season.
Thrice on the podium with a hat-trick of P3s for Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin have emerged as Red Bull’s closest rival not only on the track but in the standings.
24 Apr 2023 11:30 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
With Red Bull’s advantage on the track all but guaranteeing them a 1-2 result barring complications, such as Sergio Perez’s pit lane start in Australia, Krack acknowledges that making up points isn’t easy with Red Bull on track to grab the majority. As such he’s appreciating the fact Aston Martin have made a flying start to their season to eke out a nine-point advantage over Mercedes, 39 up on Ferrari.
“In a cost cap environment, with such intensity of racing, you have to start with a good car, because to play catch-up along the year – and if you are down on points, as we have seen last year – it’s quite impossible, because there was not much to score,” he said as per The Race.
“Even if you had the fourth-fastest car last year, you were just not scoring enough to make up for any gaps. So we have managed last year to develop the car substantially. Now we start obviously from a higher baseline. So it will be not as easy as it was last year. But we have to make progress to stay where we are because if you don’t do anything, we will go back.”
‘Chances of hunting down Red Bull’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/aston-...elopment-race/
‘We need to learn and grow off track’ says Aston’s Alonso as he expects development race to heat up
25 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin must adopt a “humble” approach despite their strong start to the season, with the Spaniard expecting the order to change “a little bit” over the next few races as teams begin to bring major upgrade packages. Speaking after the Australian Grand Prix, Alonso said:
“I think Mercedes, they've also been strong in Jeddah, to be honest. I was within one tenth of George [Russell], fighting to get this extra five seconds or whatever at the end, so it was very, very close. It seems that qualifying is quite important now, because race pace is very similar, and I think now we enter into a part of the season that is going to be very interesting - which team is developing the car faster?”
“I think the first three races being away from Europe, it’s difficult to bring upgrades and things like that. But from now on, maybe we see the level of the teams changing a little bit, race-by-race, depending on who brings an upgrade that is good enough.”
‘Aston Martin must adopt a “humble” approach’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...K1RQdPUo6.html
The day Alonso gave Schumacher an F1 masterclass
20:24 Mon, 24 Apr 2023.
By: Adam Cooper
Motorsport.com
On April 24th 2005 upstart Fernando Alonso and seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher went head-to-head in the San Marino GP – and the youngster just came out on top after a brilliantly judged drive.
It was the first time that the two had fought so closely for a race victory all the way to the chequered flag, and Alonso’s superb win appeared to signal a changing of the guard. We didn’t know it at the time but Imola was to be a rare high for a Ferrari team strangled by that year’s tyre regulations – Alonso’s main title opposition was to come from McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen, who should have won the San Marino event.
The Renault driver’s tyres didn’t have the required pace in them, but he judged it brilliantly, never leaving the door open, with superior traction in slow corners giving him a useful boost. Even the wily Schumacher couldn’t find a way by, and Alonso just made it home in front – by only 0.2s. “It was good!,” said Symonds of his man. “That’s what race craft is all about, isn’t it? Everyone says there should be more overtaking in F1, but today I was pleased there wasn’t!”
‘Race Craft’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...recap/4784072/
Alonso: Aston Martin one year ahead of schedule to become F1 contender
14:18 Mon, 24 Apr 2023.
By: Filip Cleeren
Motorsport.com
Fernando Alonso says his Aston Martin team's shock improvement in the 2023 Formula 1 season means it is now one year ahead of schedule in its bid to become a world championship contender. According to Alonso, his new outfit's breakthrough over the winter has shortened its planned trajectory to the top by a year.
"I was hoping 2023 to be a learning season and in 2024 maybe to be challenging Ferrari and Mercedes and things like that," said Alonso. "But we challenged them in Bahrain in race one so obviously now everything looks more optimistic."
Alonso cautioned that the true test of Aston's progress will follow once rival teams start bringing sizeable upgrades and the team's in-season development rate will be put to the test, a process which will begin in Azerbaijan.
‘One year ahead of schedule’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/-...nder/10459920/
The rare Fernando Alonso skill that sets him apart from everyone else
24 Apr 2023 1:00 PM
Oliver Harden
PlanetF1.com
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has showered praise on Fernando Alonso following his strong start to the 2023 Formula 1 season, claiming his unique ability to manage a race from the cockpit means he doesn’t need a race strategist.
Alonso has long been regarded as one of the most complete drivers on the grid, with Steiner identifying the Spaniard’s rare ability to think through a race as his greatest strength. He (Guenther Steiner) told talkSPORT: “Everybody who watches Formula 1 knows Fernando is a driver who has got skills none of the other drivers have got.”
“In my opinion, he doesn’t need a strategist or anything. He can manage his race from inside the car. He’s so good [at that] and he’s very talented driving as well. That’s where he’s so strong.”
‘EL PLAN: Doesn’t need a strategist’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/guenth...so-rare-skill/
Alonso has another six years in him, says Fittipaldi
RaceFans Round-up
Posted on 24th April 2023, 0:0123rd April 2023, 23:05
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans
Fernando Alonso can continue to race competitively for at least another six years, his fellow two-times world champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes. The Aston Martin driver, who has finished third in every race so far this year, will turn 42 in July. Fittipaldi, who raced well into his forties in America’s CART IndyCar series after retiring from F1, believes Alonso can replicate what he did.
“I won my last race in the United States at the age of 47 and Alonso can reach that age at a high level,” Fittipaldi told AS. “He is physically very well and is hungry for victory.”
Despite Red Bull’s dominant start to the season, Fittipaldi said Alonso will be “one of the favorites” to win in Monaco next month, due to the unusually tight nature of the circuit. “The [Red Bull drivers] will also go very strong in Monaco but it is obvious that Fernando will have his options,” said Fittipaldi. “He can win if he is lucky.”
‘Another six years’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/24/...nd-up-24-04-6/
KRACK FEELS ‘NERVOUS’ ABOUT BAKU SPRINT FORMAT
Will the street circuit make the weekend difficult for some teams?
April 24, 2023
Lena Ferle
FormulaNerds
The Sprint weekend format in Baku will bring the first Sprint on a street circuit. Street circuits are always rather critical regarding car damage – Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack is “nervous”. After a few weeks’ break, Formula 1 returns. Azerbaijan will host the first of six Sprint format weekends.
The Baku City Circuit itself is an exciting but also dangerous race track. The roads are narrow, and the walls are close. It is not uncommon for accidents to happen here with severe damage to the car. When you put this in the context of the budget cap and the time needed to repair cars, the race weekend in Baku becomes an extraordinary challenge.
According to racingnews365, Krack explains: “Straight after the Sprint, you have the covers on and then in the morning, you have only three or four hours to repair your car if it’s heavily damaged. So there is a high risk with that exercise. But again, it’s the same for everybody and Baku is it is not so difficult to overtake [on]. If you take high risk in the corners and then there is a higher risk, but I think I think it will be a good show over the weekend.”
‘NERVOUS’
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/kr.../?nowprocket=1
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How the four-week break could end up hurting Red Bull.
Runaway F1 2023 leaders Red Bull could find their sizeable advantage eaten into as the sport finally returns to track action in Baku this weekend.
25 Apr 2023 5:00 PM
Mark Scott
PlanetF1.com.
Mercedes were one team who made that very clear. “We need to consolidate our understanding and hopefully over the next few races we can make another step,” Wolff said. “It’s also important to keep on track and not oscillate too much between exuberance and depression; to stay rational and believe in our trajectory, believe in the capability of the team.”
“There will be setbacks but there will also be upgrades and plenty of work that will help us get closer to the front. The machine is continuing to run in Brixworth and Brackley at a fast pace. What you see on track is only the tip of the iceberg, but the performance of the car and power unit is made in these two factories. We will consistently be bringing upgrades to the car over the next few races, which is something to look forward to.”
‘Sizeable advantage eaten’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...-break-hamper/
Can ‘King of Baku’ Sergio Perez take the fight to Max Verstappen? F1 Azerbaijan GP talking points
24 Apr 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net
Two victories and a second place finish in the opening three races, combined with a challenging Australian Grand Prix weekend for teammate Sergio Perez, has seen Verstappen open up a 15-point lead in the championship.
It may be early days, but many have already written off Perez’s title chances given Verstappen’s purple streak of form and the Mexican’s torrid weekend last time out in Melbourne. Perez will be looking to kickstart his world championship ambitions this weekend in Baku, a circuit he holds an impressive record at.
Perez has more podium finishes than any other driver in Azerbaijan, having stood on the podium four times in six races, including taking his first victory for Red Bull in 2021.
‘Many have already written off Perez’s title chances’;
https://www.crash.net/f1/feature/102...ght-verstappen
Marko plays down latest Red Bull rumours
25th April 2023, 07:42
Grandpx.news
Dr Helmut Marko has played down the latest wild rumours about Red Bull's involvement in Formula 1. Although the premier team Red Bull Racing is dominating the sport at present, Marko is said to be an odds with the successor of his friend and the energy drink company's late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
Rumours suggest Marko and new Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, 47, do not get along, which could lead to 79-year-old Marko quitting his prominent role. And yet another rumour is that due to the poor on-track and financial performance of the second team Alpha Tauri, its boss Franz Tost could be ousted.
"I can only say that I will be with Red Bull in Salzburg on Wednesday," Marko told the Swiss newspaper Blick. "And those topics are not on the agenda there." However, the rumours are persistent, and even involve suggestions that recently-retired four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel could succeed either Marko or Tost.
‘Those topics are not on the agenda’;
https://grandpx.news/marko-plays-dow...-bull-rumours/
The RIDICULOUS F1 records Max Verstappen could break before 2023 ends
Tuesday 25 April 2023 18:57
Daniel Austin
GPFans
Four weeks. That’s how long a break the Formula 1 pack has had to improve their cars as they desperately try to catch up to Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Such is the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s dominance, though, that it would take a frankly inexplicable breakthrough from one of their rivals between the last race in Australia and the next in Azerbaijan this weekend for the status quo of the 2023 campaign to shift to any meaningful degree.
So far this year Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez have been in a class of their own, piloting machinery which is simply uncontestably fast in a straight line, and which displays a balletic poise through the corners that allows it to scamper away into the distance seemingly at will.
‘RIDICULOUS F1 records’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...red-bull-baku/
Stealing sponsors: Christian Horner sets record straight on Red Bull’s rivals
25 Apr 2023 12:15 PM
Mark Scott
PlanetF1.com
Speaking with The i back in March, Horner said that only added to the perception that Red Bull are the ‘villain’ of Formula 1 and led to an unnamed team trying to cause further disruption within the Red Bull camp. “If we had a British driver like a certain team in Brackley…we are too easily seen as the bad guys,” he told The i.
“It tainted us [the budget cap breach]. These things get used by your rivals. We had one of them contacting our sponsors and partners making suggestions that we would be bringing their brands into disrepute. That was just underhand. My wife has always said to me a pat on the back is only six inches from a kick up the arse. This is like the Kardashians on wheels. As long as you are comfortable with the decisions you are taking. That’s how I live my life.”
“It wasn’t about stealing sponsors,” Horner is quoted as having told Sky Deutschland by grandpx.news. “The intention was to suggest to the sponsors that their partnership could bring the brands into disrepute. An attempt was also made to try and get Horner to confirm which team tried to cause some level of disruption with Red Bull’s sponsors, but he would only deliver a classic response. I’ll leave that entirely to your imagination,” he said.
‘Could bring the brands into disrepute’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/christ...ling-sponsors/
Perez: Red Bull in 'very unique position' to have Ricciardo.
24 April 2023, 12:05PM
Author Anna Francis
Co-author Aaron Deckers
RacingNews365
Daniel Ricciardo's influence on Red Bull following his return to the squad as a reserve driver has been praised by team boss Christian Horner. Sergio Perez has also given his take on the impact of having the Australian around.
Sergio Perez believes that Red Bull are in a "very unique position" following Daniel Ricciardo's return. Perez on Ricciardo's return, "He's, first of all, someone very positive, someone great to have around," Perez told media, including RacingNews365.com, over the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
"He never stops smiling. I think it's great for the team. "We are in a very unique position, to have Daniel around with the amount of experience he has. He's been doing a very good job for us." Alongside acting as a reserve driver, Ricciardo's role also involves simulator work and commercial activities.
'Very unique position';
https://racingnews365.com/perez-red-...have-ricciardo
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F1 confirms new standalone sprint race format including half-hour ‘Sprint Shootout’.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has authorised the changes ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix following a vote held at an F1 Commission meeting earlier today.
25th April 2023, 16:3225th April 2023, 17:38
Written by Will Wood and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Revised 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule
Session timings and key rules differences between each:
Friday
First practice – 60 minutes
Grand prix qualifying – Q1: 18 minutes; Q2: 15 minutes, Q3: 12 minutes
Saturday
Sprint race qualifying (‘Sprint shootout’) – Q1: 12 minutes; Q2: 10 minutes, Q3: 8 minutes
Sprint race, 17 laps – Pays 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points to the top eight finishers. Drivers may use DRS on lap after standing start or Safety Car start
Sunday
Grand prix, 51 laps – Pays 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 points to the top 10 finishers, plus a bonus point for fastest lap if the driver who sets it finishes in the top 10. Drivers may use DRS on second lap after standing start or Safety Car start
This article will be updated.
‘FIA World Motor Sport Council has authorised the changes’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/25/...rint-shootout/
New F1 ‘sprint shootout’ approved by teams for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
16:44 Tue, 25 Apr 2023.
The Independent
There was an unanimous agreement to increase the number of sprint events amongst F1 teams at a meeting of the F1 commission meeting last year, following discussions with the FIA and a vote amongst the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
As it was last year, the F1 sprint is a 100km race with no mandatory pit stops and drivers racing flat-out to the chequered flag. As it was in the 2022 season, the top eight drivers score points, with the driver who finishes P1 receiving eight points.
‘New F1 ‘sprint shootout’;
https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-...-b2326415.html
Will F1’s ‘two-day grand prix’ format enliven its underwhelming sprint races?
2023 F1 season
Posted on 25th April 2023, 18:3025th April 2023, 20:55
Written by Keith Collantine
Let’s start with the good news. Formula 1 has expunged one of the worst features of the sprint races it introduced two years ago.
Following a meeting of the teams today, with the first of this year’s six sprint races just four days away, F1 has announced further changes to its rules with a separate ‘Sprint Shootout’ qualifying session being introduced. This will decide the starting order for the sprint race, while the grand prix grid is unaffected and set by a qualifying session held on Friday.
This corrects the flaw in the format which was demonstrated most clearly by the last sprint round, the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. On that occasion Haas’s Kevin Magnussen mastered changing conditions in qualifying to perfection, defeating drivers from a string of better-funded teams with faster cars to be fastest in Q3.
‘Two-day grand prix’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/25/...-sprint-races/
Azerbaijan Grand Prix: 5 great battles from the F1 archive.
25 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Delve into the F1 archive to take a look at some of the greatest battles in Azerbaijan.
‘5 great battles’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...815534541.html
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weather forecast
Tuesday 25 April 2023 13:27
Sam Hall
GPFans
The F1 season resumes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend as Red Bull looks to extend its dominant start to the campaign.
Max Verstappen leads the standings with two wins from three races and is trailed by team-mate Sergio Perez, who is the only other driver to stand on the top step of the podium this year.
The weekend will feature the Sprint format for the first time season, with a vote taking place on Tuesday to confirm whether a new iteration of this will be run. Before the exact schedule is confirmed, here is the weather for the coming weekend in Baku.
‘Grand Prix weather forecast’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ther-forecast/
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Toto Wolff delivers a word of warning ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“We’ve had a few weeks off from racing but both factories have been hard at work,” Wolff said in his latest Mercedes preview.
26 Apr 2023 2:00 PM
Mark Scott
PlanetF1.com
“We’ve tried to maximise this period, bringing planned development to the car and extracting as much as possible from our learnings so far. Australia showed that we are making progress, although we need to be cautious about reading too much into a single result.”
“But the signs in Melbourne were still encouraging and that has been a good motivator for the whole team heading into this gap in the calendar. Over the next races, we want to keep on making small steps forward.”
“The car will continue to evolve in the coming weeks, as we steadily bring performance and upgrades to the track. We’re excited to see their impact, but we know there is no magic bullet.”
‘Maximise’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-w...-prix-warning/
Mercedes have ‘plenty of firepower’ as they confirm Azerbaijan GP upgrades
James Allison has returned to the technical officer position at Mercedes after vacating the role two years ago.
26 April 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News
Mercedes’ returning technical officer James Allison has confirmed that the Silver Arrows will have upgrades for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a circuit which left the team with nightmares 12 months ago. This weekend will mark Allison’s first weekend back as the team’s technical officer, after himself and Mike Elliott switched positions.
“It’s reliable, that’s a definite strength,” Allison told the F1 Nation podcast, when asked about the W14’s characteristics. “It’s got very good pair of punters peddling it around. It’s better than most of the grid out there. But until it’s the quickest one, it will always feel like a weak car to all of us.”
“It’s adequately kind to its tyres, but not as good as some of the cars that we’ve made in the past. It’s got more downforce than most of the cars on the grid, but not sufficient. Its handling characteristics leave a little to be desired, and need to be worked on for sure. But none of this stuff is revelatory. We’ve been talking about it most weekends. And it’s part of what this team needs to address to get winning material back in our hands.”
‘Good pair of punters peddling it around’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/mercedes-...n-gp-upgrades/
Five key questions ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan GP
26th April 2023, 13:09
by Fergal Walsh
Motorsport Week
Formula 1’s April break is coming to an end, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from Baku taking place this weekend. But what are the key questions and main talking points ahead of this year’s event? How will the new format play out? F1 is once again shaking up the weekend format for the upcoming event, with the sprint schedule going through further changes.
Will McLaren make a leap forward? McLaren missed development targets with its 2023 car and as a result, started the campaign off the pace of where it was hoping to be. Can anyone stop Red Bull? Red Bull appears unstoppable at the moment. Although it has faced gremlins in the opening rounds, it has overcome them through the sheer pace of the RB19 which has delivered a trio of wins to start the 2023 campaign.
Will Ferrari turn around its fortunes? Ferrari was hopeful that its return to the top step of the podium in 2022 would further translate to a serious championship push the following year. Will Alonso’s hot streak continue? Fernando Alonso’s move to Aston Martin was heavily questioned when it was confirmed last year that he would be departing Alpine, but now, it is shaping up to be one of his smartest career decisions.
‘Five key questions’;
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/...azerbaijan-gp/
IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
25 April 2023
Chris Medland
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
The unusual early-season break is finally over and we’re back to racing this weekend, but not just any racing as the first Sprint event of the season is upon us. So here are a few of the talking points likely to be doing the rounds when the paddock reconvenes in Baku. A new Sprint format: It might seem a little strange for confirmation to come just before the race weekend kicks off, but an exciting new Sprint format has officially been ratified by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council following discussions over the past few weeks.
The development race: There might not have been any racing taking place since the long trip to Melbourne, but that doesn’t mean teams haven’t been hard at work back at their factories. Unlike in the summer break, there’s no mandatory shutdown at this time of year, allowing the usual R&D to take place within the engineering teams. Penalty protests: Speaking of Ferrari, they were one of the few teams to create headlines during the recent break from racing, as Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed they had submitted a petition for a right of review into the penalty given to Carlos Sainz in Australia.
The season building momentum: Have I mentioned it has been nearly four weeks since we last went racing?! It just feels so strange to have such a big break at this stage, doesn’t it? Guenther Steiner’s diary: Aside from Ferrari, another very busy team have been Haas, or more specifically their Team Principal, Guenther Steiner. The Haas team boss will no doubt face plenty of questions about some of the revelations within the book once he’s in the paddock in Baku, and it will also be interesting to see if any of his competitors have had a read as well…
‘5 storylines we’re excited about’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...RjXHATZMJ.html
‘More eyeballs, more money’: Formula 1 community reacts to sprint weekend changes
April 26th, 2023 12:26 pm
Staff Writers from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)
The introduction of a second qualifying session to sprint rounds has divided opinion within the Formula 1 community ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and one driver will be particularly peeved by the changes. On Tuesday, the FIA announced a new format for sprint weekends, in which Saturday is now effectively a stand-alone event with no bearing on Sunday’s race.
Saturday practice has been removed from the schedule and replaced by the “sprint shootout”, which sets the grid for the sprint race later that day. Qualifying on Friday evening will set the grid for Sunday’s grand prix, and the fastest driver in qualifying will be declared the weekend’s pole winner for the official record.
Both Friday qualifying and the sprint shootout will use the familiar Q1-Q2-Q3 format, but the shootout will run on a tighter schedule, giving drivers less time to record their lap times. Subsequently, teams will have just one hour on Friday afternoon, when the track is at its dirtiest and least representative, to lock-in car set-up and evaluate any upgrades.
‘More eyeballs, more money’;
https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...350c929a7828ba
Riding momentum, Kannapolis-based Haas F1 Team preps for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
26th April 2026, 11:36
By David Whisenant
WBTV
The Kannapolis-based MoneyGram Haas F1 Team enters the event in seventh position in Formula 1′s Constructors’ Championship, on seven points, buoyed by successive points finishes in the previous grands prix in Saudi Arabia and Australia. Kevin Magnussen collected 10th place around the streets of Jeddah prior to Nico Hulkenberg scoring seventh position in Albert Park, capturing MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s best result since July 2022.
Guenther Steiner – Team Principal: “With the unintended break, we tried to make the best out of it. Firstly, I told people to rest a little bit and get ready for a tough season in front of us as, the real season starts now with the double-header and then the triple-header. The design team is working on the last little bits for upgrades that we bring in the next races, starting in Miami. We also put a few things in place like the race team going to a team bonding event for two days in Wales.”
Guenther Steiner – Team Principal: “I definitely prefer the new set-up because Saturday morning practice is pretty pointless as you couldn’t change anything on the car, you just went out there, did laps and tried to understand the tires – I don’t think that’s very interesting for the fans. A second qualifying is a lot better for the fans and also for us as it gives you excitement. We’ve got a lot of things going on at the weekend, two qualifying sessions and two races, and I think that’s great for the sport.”
‘Riding momentum’;
https://www.wbtv.com/2023/04/26/ridi...an-grand-prix/
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El Crashico, New Sprint, Upgrades - 2023 Azerbaijan GP Preview.
Will the 2 x Qualifying and 2 x Race sessions mean more chaos around the streets of Baku?
Published Apr 26, 2023 10:53 PM
Inside Line F1 Podcast (Weblog)
'Land of Fire', 'City of Winds' and the 'Home of the Street Fighters', all tags for Azerbaijan, Baku and the Baku City Circuit respectively are geared towards one goal - entertainment!
After a near four week gap, the questions remain the same - will anyone catch Red Bull Racing? Can Sergio Perez really challenge Max Verstappen? Will all teams bring upgrades? Will Ferrari fire (not literally!)? And is Fernando Alonso REALLY dating Taylor Swift!?
In this banter-filled episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil and Kunal preview the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. @f1statsguru aka Sundaram shares his stats preview. We're in for a mad weekend...tune in!
‘El Crashico’;
https://omny.fm/shows/inside-line-f1...-azerbaijan-gp
Five talking points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Formula One returns this weekend after a one month break. AFP Sport takes a look at five talking points ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Issued on: 27/04/2023
France 24
Red Bull winging it: Three races, three poles, three wins, two 1-2s, two fastest laps - Red Bull arrive in Azerbaijan on a magical roll. Double world champion Max Verstappen kept his cool in Melbourne to fend off Lewis Hamilton and steer clear of the triple red-flag drama, while Sergio Perez sliced through the field from last to claim fifth, and the fastest lap, in the latest display of the Red Bulls' speed supremacy over the rest of the grid.
Mercedes revival? Toto Wolff and his Mercedes men left the Australian Grand Prix with an unexpected spring in their step. Sprint time: Baku stages the first of 2023's six sprint races. Verstappen has the best sprint record, winning three of the six held since they were introduced in 2021.
Tough times at Ferrari: New Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur reckons there are "tonnes of room for improvement on the car" - Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will certainly be hoping that's the case. Baku roulette: Baku boasts the longest straight in F1, the 2.2 kilometre Neftchilar Avenue alongside the Caspian Sea where cars break from speeds of 350kmh into the 90 degree turn one, the circuit then snaking its way through the sinuous medieval city gate section where even the slightest of mistakes can spell disaster.
‘Five talking points’;
https://www.france24.com/en/live-new...jan-grand-prix
Alonso 'excited' to try out Sprint format tweaks as he looks to maintain 2023 podium streak in Baku
26 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Fernando Alonso has declared his excitement ahead of the first Sprint of the 2023 campaign, as his Aston Martin team hope to continue their strong start to the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Alonso said: "It's good to be back after a few weeks away from racing. I have recharged the batteries after a high adrenaline start to the season, and I am now looking forward to Baku. The circuit presents us drivers with a unique challenge, as we face lots of tight slow-speed street sections and then extremely high-speed straights that create lots of opportunities for risk and reward.”
"I'm excited to see the return of the Sprint this weekend too. We've seen some fun races in the past there and I'm sure it'll be no different, especially now with two qualifying sessions and two races. After three races we know our car better, but we need to pick-up where we left off in Australia and keep up the development push over the next few races."
‘Good to be back’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...zruF60zN6.html
Verstappen makes crucial point for Baku Sprint weekend
26 April 8:35PM
RacingNews365
The first Sprint race weekend of the year will take place in Azerbaijan, with a slightly different format to what has been used previously. Max Verstappen expects it to be a challenge for drivers, as he heads into the event leading the championship.
"Baku is a challenging track to get right. As it’s a street circuit with long straights, it gives us multiple options on what wings we can run," said Verstappen.
"It’s also the first Sprint race weekend of the season so that might make it slightly chaotic." He added: "We just need to try and get a good start into the weekend with a solid FP1 session. Let’s see what we can do."
‘Crucial point’;
https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...ightly-chaotic
Esteban Ocon anticipates Sprint weekend in Baku: “We’ll have to be on the pace straight away”
April 27, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Esteban Ocon: “It was good to have a little break after the Australian Grand Prix to properly debrief after the race and analyse the weekend as a whole. Obviously, it did not end well for us but there were many positives to take from the weekend, and we are fully focused on bouncing back strongly in Baku.”
“As a team we’ve already been looking forward to Baku for a while now so we’re all glad this new race week is finally here. An upgrade is planned for this race too, it’s a slightly new format with the Sprint, so that means we’ll have to be on the pace straight away. We need a positive weekend and aim to leave Baku with deserved points for the team.”
“Looking forward to Baku”;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...straight-away/
Oscar Piastri issues warning ahead of 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
27 April 2023
by Edward Hardy
Formula1News
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has had a challenging start to his Formula 1 calendar, having suffered a DNF and pointless finish in the opening two races. This new format will give the three rookie drivers on the grid, including Piastri, only one practice session around the difficult track before jumping into a race.
“I think it definitely doesn’t make my life any easier, not having more practice sessions,” Piastri said. “But you know, it’s the same for everyone in terms of track time, so that’s not a concern.”
“The way it is at the moment – not that I’ve done one – but it kind of just looks like there are two races that are more or less the same. Obviously, no one wants to take too much risk in the sprint race with the way it is at the moment.”
‘Definitely doesn’t make my life any easier’;
https://formula1news.co.uk/oscar-pia...an-grand-prix/
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F1 Baku 2023: Formula 1’s biggest talking points ahead of historically chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It’s finally here! After four exceptionally long weeks without Formula 1, it’s time to prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the twenty drivers head to Baku for the first street race of the 2023 season.
Published 27th Apr 2023, 15:42 BST
By Susanna Sealy
National World
Last time out (which feels like a lifetime ago now) we saw one of the most chaotic races take place in Melbourne. We had a record number of red flags (three), eight DNFs as well as a catatonic Carlos Sainz who was handed a five second penalty for contact with Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari driver was pushed down to 12th place.
Not only will this weekend be the first street circuit of the year, but it will also be the first Sprint race of the 2023 season. F1 will also welcome the new rules for the sprint race which will see this element of the race weekend act independently from Sunday’s race.
However, from a fan’s perspective, sprint weekends add extra excitement and make the Saturday driving sessions just that much more compelling. Of course, there are still only a maximum of eight points up for grabs so it may well be that no driver is willing to risk a potential crash or upset to the car for just eight points.
‘It’s finally here!’;
https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/...d-prix-4122039
5 key talking points to watch for at the Azerbaijan GP
27th April 2023, 13:45
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport
There's lots to look out for this weekend, meanwhile, and here are five talking points to keep your eye on over the course of the coming days... How will the new Sprint format be received? F1 has confirmed the changes that are set to come in for Sprint weekends, with the first of the season being held this weekend in Baku.
Can Sergio Perez ace Azerbaijan again? Red Bull driver Perez has had a great run of form here in Baku over the years with several podium finishes and a win under his belt. How will Alpine's upgrades fare? Alpine are hopeful that their upgrades coming to Baku are going to help them close the gap to the fastest four teams.
Where will Mercedes be? Mercedes are working hard on their revamped car and, after they earned second place in Melbourne last time out with Lewis Hamilton, they'll be aiming to try and consolidate. Will Baku throw up more surprises? Over the years we've seen team-mates crashing, blowouts costing wins, cars clashing behind the Safety Car and plenty of thrills and spills around the streets of Baku.
‘5 key talking points’;
https://www.givemesport.com/5-key-ta...azerbaijan-gp/
NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
27 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Vital statistics
• First Grand Prix – 2017 (2016 as the European Grand Prix)
• Track Length – 6.003km
• Lap record – 1m 43.009s, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2019
• Most pole positions – Charles Leclerc (2)
• Most wins – Daniel Ricciardo, Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen (1)
• Trivia – At its narrowest point (the Turn 8/9 ‘Old Town’ complex), the circuit is just 7.6 metres wide
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 141 metres (shortest on the calendar)
• Overtakes completed in 2022 – 40
• Safety Car probability – 50%
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 33%
• Pit stop time loss – 20.40 seconds (including 2.5s stationary)
‘Vital statistics’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...LrLxCQ5Mm.html
What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
27 April 2023
Formula One - Official Site
Pirelli have announced which tyres they will be bringing to this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the first Sprint weekend of the season.
F1’s official tyre suppliers have chosen to bring the three softest tyres in their range, with the teams being able to call upon the C3 (hard tyre), C4 (medium tyre), and the C5 (soft tyre), with Pirelli expecting the three softest compound tyres in their range to suit the characteristics of the Baku City Circuit.
However, due to the revised Sprint format, there will be a change in the number of sets of tyres given to the teams. While Pirelli will once again bring two sets of the hard tyre, they will also nominate four sets of the mediums, and just six sets of the softs. The amount of medium compound tyres will be increased because of Saturday’s Sprint shootout, which will require the teams to run the mediums in both SQ1 and SQ2, with the softs only being used in SQ3.
‘Tyre Compounds’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Xf0DzSw9H.html
Azerbaijan GP: Thursday's build-up in pictures
27/04/2023 at 17:00
Michael Delaney
F1i.com
After a leisurely three-week spring break – at least for F1's drivers – it's back to the grind this weekend in Baku.
Check out our first batch of pictures from this weekend's Azerbaijan GP, round 4 of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.
‘Thursday's build-up’;
https://f1i.com/news/472141-azerbaij...ictures-4.html
First pictures from the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend
F1 Pictures
Posted on 27th April 2023, 16:24
Written by Keith Collantine
RaceFans
‘Pictures from the build-up to the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit.’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...-prix-weekend/
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Azerbaijan GP: F1 technical images from the pitlane explained.
Delve into the Formula 1 technical features on display in the pitlane as teams prepare for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Apr 28, 2023, 1:11 AM
By: Matt Somerfield
Co-author: Giorgio Piola
Motorsport.com
Ferrari has trimmed its front wing upper flaps in order to cater for the demands of the Baku street circuit and tailor it to the choice it will make with the rear wing. Also worth noting in this image is the curvature of the endplate, a design choice that many teams are making in order to manage the flow around the front tyre and clean up the turbulent wake that would otherwise be generated by it.
A close-up view of the Mercedes W14’s rear end, including its deep central spoon-shaped rear wing, beam wing and diffuser. Note the shut lines in the upper corner of the endplate where the team can quickly change the layout to suit the demands, while the mouse house in the side of the diffuser’s wall is visible from this angle. Mercedes has also changed to a three-tier, stepped lower edge on the brake duct winglet.
A look at the inboard elements of the push-rod rear suspension on the Red Bull RB19 and the main exhaust outlet, which rises up through the gearbox casing. An overview of the rear wing mounted on the RB19 which is devoid of a Gurney flap during the buildup and has a deep V-groove in the central section of the upper flap to offer further assistance in reducing drag. The metal bridge support for the rear wing’s central pillar on the Red Bull RB19 also acts as a higher position with which to mount the upper wishbone.
‘F1 technical images’;
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/a...ined/10461446/
Revamped F1 Sprint format and upgrades galore - what to expect at the Azerbaijan GP
Thursday 27 April 2023 22:12
Jay Winter
GPFans
With only one free practice session on Friday morning, the drivers will need to ace their setups for the qualifying in the afternoon. Friday's qualifying will be for the race on Sunday. The Saturday in Baku will have no effect on Sunday's race, with the FIA introducing a "Sprint Shootout" which will decide the starting grid for Saturday's F1 Sprint.
Upgrades galore: The bunched-up midfield battle will be an area to keep an eye on in Baku. With three weeks to tinker with their cars, teams like McLaren will be looking to make up for lost ground from their underwhelming start to the 2023 season. French retaliation: After an extremely unlucky Australian Grand Prix where team-mates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided right at the death of the race, the Frenchmen will be looking to bounce back into the points, especially after their 2022 rivals, McLaren leapfrogged them in the constructors' standings.
Shortened DRS zone: In an effort to make overtaking more challenging over the course of the weekend, the FIA has announced a significant change to the DRS zone. Charles chance to bounce back: Charles Leclerc will be looking to bounce back at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a difficult start to the season. The Monegasque driver has suffered two DNFs in the first three races, becoming the first Ferrari driver to do so since Felipe Massa in 2009.
‘What to expect’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-preview-2023/
New sprint race format is “a practice session with points at the end” – Hamilton
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 27th April 2023, 18:17
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1’s changes to the sprint race format won’t make a great difference to how drivers approach them. Hamilton doesn’t believe this changes the balance between risk and reward for the competitors. “I don’t think it makes really a lot of difference now,” he said.
“Obviously before, where you finished in the sprint was where you qualified for the race. Now it is a practice session but there are points at the end of it. I don’t think we’ll be going more [flat-]out than we normally have done in the past.”
Despite that, Hamilton is hopeful the changes will result in an action-packed event. “With the shake-up of the whole format of the weekend, it’s probably the most exciting weekend so far this year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.”
‘Practice session with points’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...-end-hamilton/
Ferrari’s Frédéric Vasseur expects further progress in performance of SF-23 in Baku
April 28, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag
Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur outlined the team’s efforts since the last race weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, where the team came away empty-handed with zero points, with Charles Leclerc retiring due to a first lap spin and Carlos Sainz receiving a highly-influential penalty for causing a collision.
“It’s been almost a month since the last Grand Prix and in that time we have been working hard in Maranello on the development of the SF-23, both in terms of improving the current car package as well as moving forward with the planned updates that will be gradually introduced over the course of the coming races.”
“Charles and Carlos have played their part, working in the simulator and giving us feedback. In Australia, we had already made a step forward in terms of pure performance and for Azerbaijan, we expect to move on from there.”
‘Further progress in performance of SF-23’;
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...sf-23-in-baku/
Alonso sets out aims ahead of Baku as F1 FINALLY returns
Thursday 27 April 2023 13:57
Harry Smith
GPFans
Fernando Alonso has explained that Aston Martin need to "pick up where we left off" in Australia when the lights go out at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Speaking as part of an Aston Martin press release, Alonso said: "It's good to be back after a few weeks away from racing.”
"I have recharged the batteries after a high-adrenaline start to the season, and I am now looking forward to Baku. The circuit presents us drivers with a unique challenge, as we face lots of tight slow-speed street sections and then extremely high-speed straights that create lots of opportunities for risk and reward."
‘Alonso sets out aims’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...an-grand-prix/
Why Vasseur is “not scared at all” amid speculation over Leclerc’s Ferrari future
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 27th April 2023, 17:5127th April 2023, 18:10
Written by Keith Collantine and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur insists he has no concerns Charles Leclerc may seek to leave the team following his disappointing start to the 2023 season. Nonetheless Vasseur remains confident of agreeing a new deal with Leclerc, telling reporters in Baku today discussions will begin this year. “We will do it in the course of the season,” he said.
“He’s under contract with us for more than one year now and we’ll have time to discuss it. I’m not scared at all and I think it’s not the right moment to do it.” Leclerc remains central to Ferrari’s efforts to score its first world championship victory in 15 years, said Vasseur. “He’s clearly part of the project. He’s not a spectator of this.”
“He’s involved in the development of the team. He’s part of the development because he’s developing himself. He’s a performance contributor both on-track and out of the track. And as long as he will play this role we are on a good path.”
‘Development of the team’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...errari-future/
Baku upgrade means McLaren have ‘car we should have started the year with’ – Norris
2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Posted on 27th April 2023, 13:4227th April 2023, 13:44
Written by Will Wood and Claire Cottingham
RaceFans
Lando Norris says McLaren’s 2023 car is now “what we should have started the year with” after the team brought an upgrade package for the MCL60 to this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Norris said he believes McLaren have now reached the level of performance that they should have begun the 2023 season with.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” Norris said. “I think Australia was definitely a better weekend for us. Things definitely went our way a little bit more. I think we were unlucky, which made things look worse than they were in the first two races. We do have the upgrade – I think that was made clear and obvious very early on in the season. But what we have now, it’s what we should have started the year with.”
‘McLaren have ‘car we should have started the year with’ ’;
https://www.racefans.net/2023/04/27/...r-with-norris/
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Baku GP FP1: Max Verstappen quickest in a fiery practice session.
Max Verstappen set the pace in the one and only practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Pierre Gasly’s session went up in flames while Kevin Magnussen stopped on the side of the track.
28 Apr 2023 11:35 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com
Ahead of F1’s first sprint race weekend of the season, the sports’ higher-ups opted to change the format leaving the teams and drivers with just one practice hour – FP1 – for the entire weekend. And it proved to be a dramatic one with all the drivers losing vital track time due to a red flag for Pierre Gasly’s burning Alpine.
Back at the front Max Verstappen went quickest with a 1:43.834 while Pierre Gasly was told to “avoid shifting” as his Alpine was on fire. Fernando Alonso was warned that Gasly “in front of you might be on fire” and yes he was. He stopped at the castle section with his A523 on fire, the session red flagged.
There were problems also for Kevin Magnussen as he went the wrong way up an escape road before coming to a halt, his session also over. And still Gasly’s Alpine continued to burn with thick black smoke pouring out of the airbox. Alpine reported a hydraulic leak as the potential cause of the fire.
‘Fiery practice session’;
https://www.planetf1.com/news/azerba...23-fp1-report/
(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:42.315
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.037
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.139
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.584
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.810
6. Nyck de Vries AlphaTauri +1.099
7. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.140
8. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.245
9. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.313
10. Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +1.433
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the only practice session ahead of the first Sprint weekend of the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-81964
AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28 April 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site
‘AS IT HAPPENED’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...TCPthrFwR.html
CHARLES LECLERC SPLITS THE RED BULLS IN A CHAOTIC FREE PRACTICE ONE SESSION AT THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
Following the new sprint weekend format changes, free practice one becomes the only practice session scheduled during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend. How will Formula One teams change their approach to the session, going from three hours (or two during a sprint weekend) of practice to one?
April 28, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds
The F1 Commission approved significant changes to the sprint weekend format ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Now, free practice one will become the only practice session during a sprint race weekend. The session will be followed by the qualifying for the race, with the sprint shootout (or qualifying for the sprint) scheduled in the old free practice two slot on Saturday.
Carlos Sainz hits the wall and Mercedes struggle with brakes. With the track still green, Carlos Sainz becomes the first driver to get too close to the wall. The Ferrari driver brushed the wall at turn five but seems to get away with it. Meanwhile, both Mercedes drivers were complaining about having brake issues. Lewis Hamilton returned to the pits, while his teammate continued out on track.
‘CHAOTIC FREE PRACTICE’;
https://www.formulanerds.com/news/ch.../?nowprocket=1
Azerbaijan GP practice chaos as Hamilton's brakes fail and Alpine car sets on fire
Practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix had to be suspended after a series of incidents.
11:01, Fri, Apr 28, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express
Lewis Hamilton suffered a brake failure as Pierre Gasly’s car caught fire in a chaotic opening to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix practice. Race stewards were forced to red flag the only practice session after just 15 minutes. Moments into the session, Hamilton was the first to complain of problems as he sent a worrying message to Mercedes engineers. He moaned: “I have no brakes at the moment."
A couple of moments later, team-mate George Russell had a similar concern, addding: "Brakes feel pretty poor, not much deceleration.” However, the session was stopped soon after as Piere Gasly’s Alpine burst into flames. Thick black smoke was seen billowing out of the Alpine as marshals frantically tried to extinguish the fire.
‘Hamilton's brakes fail’;
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...e-gasly-alpine
Azerbaijan GP concern for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell suffer same issue
Hamilton and Russell were suffering brake issues in practice, while Pierre Gasly's Alpine caught fire, Yuki Tsunoda suffered a damaging puncture and Kevin Magnussen was also forced to end his session early
11:03, 28 Apr 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror
The first Sprint weekend of the season means less practice time than usual for the engineers to gather the data they like to get ahead of a race. And a fresh change to the format means the Friday morning session is now the only hour of practice they will have for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
"Brake pedal is very long, feels like passive," said the concerned Brit, before his race engineer replied to confirm the team was looking into the problem. He added: "I have no brakes at the moment."
Even though who had not encountered a problem themselves were suffering, though. A red flag in practice does not mean the clock stops, and so every team was losing vital experimenting time ahead of an action-packed race weekend.
‘Less practice time than usual for the engineers to gather the data’;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...cedes-29836898
Majority of F1 field take new power unit components for Azerbaijan GP
28 April 1:30PM
Author Jake Nichol
RacingNews365
A majority of the Formula 1 field have taken new power unit components at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - after the allocation was increased for 2023.
‘The tables below show which drivers have taken which engine components.’;
https://racingnews365.com/majority-o...-azerbaijan-gp
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Charles Leclerc secures shock pole position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In a tight qualifying battle between Red Bull and Ferrari, Charles Leclerc displayed an eye-water performance to come out on top to secure the pole position for Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, beating championship leader Max Verstappen by two tenths of a second.
28 Apr 2023, 16:34
By Balazs Szabo
F1 Technical
The opening part of the incident-filled first qualifying segment saw Nyck de Vries hit the barriers down at Turn 3. Replays show he just went in too fast, jammed on the brakes and couldn't make the corner, going straight on into the barriers. The session was stopped to clear the track and make repairs to the barriers.
Just after the session was restarted, the red flags came back out. Alpine's Pierre Gasly touched the wall at Turn 3 and was forced to limp with front end damage Replays show that the Frenchman carried too much speed into the corner, and connected with the back first before the front wing caught on the barriers.
Once the wall was repaired, drivers were in a hurry to hit the track in order to set a competitive lap times. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc topped the session, displaying impressive pace on a track which he expected to highlight the weakness of his Ferrari SF23.
‘Shock pole position’;
https://www.f1technical.net/news/23979
Qualifying Results – 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
Q3
1. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari -1:40.203
2. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.188
3. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.292
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.813
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.974
6. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +1.050
7. Lando Norris McLaren +1.078
8. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +1.378
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.408
10. Oscar Piastri McLaren +1.408
‘Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying for Sunday’s race at the first Sprint weekend of the 2023 F1 World Championship’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-81981
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
28 April 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site
‘As it happened’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...IVyn3f6fs.html
Leclerc beats Verstappen to pole position for Azerbaijan GP
April 28, 2023
By John Smith
Total Motorsport
Charles Leclerc pulled out a sensational lap to beat out the Red Bull cars of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to put his Ferrari on pole position for the 2023 Azerbaijan GP. In the first runs of Q3 Verstappen and Leclerc set identical lap times of 1:40.445s. But then in the final runs, Leclerc pulled out a 0.188s gap to Verstappen.
That lap breaks the Red Bull domination on pole position over 2023 and keeps Leclerc’s excellent recent record in Baku alive. “For sure, I’m surprised,” Leclerc said after qualifying. “We thought it would be great to be in front of Aston Martin and Mercedes in qualifying.”
“Really happy with the lap, the feeling was good since the start so really happy. The pace seems strong, we know the car is good.” Perez was almost three tenths behind Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari close to one second adrift of his teammate.
“For sure, I’m surprised”;
https://www.total-motorsport.com/f1-...aijan-gp-2023/
Leclerc storms to Azerbaijan GP pole
Saturday 29th April, 2023 - 12:45am
By Mat Coch
Speedcafe
Leclerc found time as he began his final flying lap with just under two minutes remaining. He was also strong to the second split, though Perez was behind him on track and on a hot lap. The Mexican lost time through the middle sector while Leclerc crossed the line with a 1:40.203s.
Perez could not better it, nor could Verstappen; the Red Bull duo both going faster on the final lap but not fast enough to claim pole. Sainz secured fourth, with Hamilton fifth from Alonso, Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Stroll, and Piastri.
Pole position for Leclerc marked his third in a row in Baku and a chance to claim another with the Sprint Shootout to follow on Saturday. Friday’s session leaves the Ferrari driver on pole for Sunday’s Grand Prix, with tomorrow’s Shootout to determine the starting order of the F1 Sprint.
‘Leclerc storms’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/29...aijan-gp-pole/
Leclerc takes Baku pole ahead of the Red Bulls
28th April 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy
The Red Bulls emerged from the pits first for the pole position shootout, they were joined by six of their rivals as Stroll and Piastri waited it out in the pits a little longer. Perez opened the times with a 1:40.563 while Verstappen and Leclerc both set 1:40.445s with the Dutch driver taking provisional pole as he set the time first.
The track emptied of all but the last emergers, Stroll and Piastri, as the others went to swap tyres and set themselves up for their final runs. Leclerc went 0.242 seconds ahead on his last effort, setting the fastest middle sector. Perez had been fastest in sector 1, while Verstappen owned the final third but the Ferrari racer took the position and he will lead the grid away on Sunday with Verstappen alongside him.
Perez took P3 while Sainz was half a second further back in P4. After just scraping through to Q3, Hamilton ended the day in P5, the last car within a second of Leclerc while Alonso took P6. Norris will line up alongside Tsunoda on row four while the last two spots in the top ten saw Stroll and Piastri both set 1:41.611 laps though the Canadian got there first so he’ll take P9.
‘Leclerc went 0.242 seconds ahead on his last effort’;
https://formulaspy.com/f1/leclerc-ta...ed-bulls-81985
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ANALYSIS: Data reveals EXACTLY how Leclerc secured shock Azerbaijan pole.
Charles Leclerc pulled out a sensational and brave lap to put his car in pole position for the third time around the streets of Baku.
Friday 28 April 2023 23:30
Shubham Sangodkar
GPFans
LEC vs VER (0.188 sec)
The strength of the Ferrari was in all of the traction zones, i.e. Leclerc was able to maximise all his exits compared to Max Verstappen. The strength of the Ferrari was in all of the traction zones, i.e. Leclerc was able to maximise all his exits compared to Max Verstappen.
The first sector was evenly matched, with 0.053sec separating the two drivers, but it was in the second where Leclerc made all the lap time – gaining 0.256sec over the reigning champion. The Monegasque pulled off a really brave turn 12, in which he got onto the throttle earlier than anybody else, carrying impressive speed through the exit of that corner which helps him gain around three tenths up to turn 15.
He nailed turn 15 too, being able to be earlier on traction, which gave him another tenth. The high Red Bull efficiency then made up for lost time on the straights in the final sector, pulling back 0.121sec.
‘ANALYSIS’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...rc-verstappen/
How Leclerc beat Verstappen to pole and set a new Baku lap record
28 April 10:00PM
Author Rory Mitchell
RacingNews365
Charles Leclerc beat Max Verstappen to his third consecutive pole and set a new track record at the Baku City Circuit. It was an impressive display of what the Ferrari SF-23 is capable of when everything comes together. There was a moment in the final part of qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when both Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen set identical times; 1:40.445s.
Where does Leclerc make up the lap time? The main areas where Leclerc managed to beat Verstappen was towards the end of the first sector and through the middle sector.
Ferrari's drag deficit with the SF-23 meant that the RB19 dominated on the main start/finish straight at the beginning of the lap. It also excels in the first couple of traction zones (exits of Turns 1 & 2), with Verstappen ahead for much of this sector.
‘The main areas’;
https://racingnews365.com/how-lecler...aku-lap-record
Corner-by-corner: How Leclerc defied the Red Bull juggernaut.
Apr 28 2023
By Mark Hughes
The Race
The Charles Leclerc Azerbaijan Grand Prix pole lap was a thing of beauty – as they invariably are around Baku. The place holds a special resonance with him and has done from the time he dominated the Formula 2 weekend in 2017.
A full breakdown
Pit straight terminal speed with DRS:
Red Bull 342 km/h
Ferrari 330 km/h
T1. Verstappen is on the brake pedal for longer and is 5mph slower at the apex.
T2. Leclerc is again earlier off the brakes but his minimum speed this time is lower than Verstappen’s.
T3. Verstappen is later and harder on the brakes.
T4. A straightforward 90-degree right-hander, where Leclerc is marginally earlier on the brakes and much earlier on the power…
T5-6. The right-left switchback combination doubly rewards the Ferrari’s willingness to rotate…
‘T7 to T15 breakdown’;
https://the-race.com/formula-1/corne...ll-juggernaut/
Leclerc beating Verstappen in Baku qualifying PROVES he's best single-lap shooter in F1
Friday 28 April 2023 19:54
Daniel Austin
GPFans
After four weeks in which Formula 1 fans were starved of on-track action, Charles Leclerc made sure the wait was well worth it as he challenged Red Bull’s supremacy in thrilling fashion in qualifying on Friday, delivering a tremendous final lap to take pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
The result is a huge boost to Ferrari, who have fallen significantly further behind Red Bull in comparison with this stage and last season and who have been haemorrhaging staff members to rivals teams in recent months.
More than anything, though, Leclerc’s stellar showing in Baku underlined the fact that he is currently the best qualifier of anybody in the field in F1, including even Verstappen.
‘Leclerc’s stellar showing’;
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ax-verstappen/
‘It’s a very big surprise for us’ – Leclerc shocked after sealing sensational pole in Baku
28 Apr 2023
Formula One - Official Site (Video)
Charles Leclerc beat Max Verstappen to pole position in Azerbaijan, but says his pace in qualifying was a big surprise both to him and the team – and added he was expecting Red Bull to be much stronger come race day.
‘Leclerc shocked’;
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...982363062.html
Sainz hoping Leclerc pole heralds ‘new season’ for Ferrari
Saturday 29th April, 2023 - 8:00am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe
Asked whether he was surprised the SF-23 was good enough to fight the Red Bulls for pole, Sainz replied: “Yeah. At the end of last year was also the case where we were fighting for poles and lacking in the race.”
“This year, up until now, we have never had never the pace to fight for pole. It looks like the changes we’ve done recently are allowing us to be back in there, and there are still upgrades to come.”
“So hopefully it’s a sign, or the beginning of a new season, and we have found the problems with our car. Congratulations to Charles because putting a Ferrari back on pole is great news for the team and a huge boost of motivation.”
‘New season’;
https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/04/29...-azerbaijangp/
