Pole-sitter’s worrying sprint sign as Max’s teammate bids for second boilover — F1 LIVE

Pole-sitter’s worrying sprint sign as Max’s teammate bids for second boilover — F1 LIVE

Charles Leclerc will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the Saturday sprint’s DRS-powered issues as he starts on pole for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Tonight live from 9pm AEST!

Ferrari’s Leclerc was also on pole for the sprint race but the uber-powerful Red Bull rear wing allowed Sergio Perez to pass him on the lengthy main straight in Baku and claim victory.

Arguably Leclerc should’ve finished third but damage to Max Verstappen’s other Red Bull saw him stuck behind the two race leaders, though still fast enough to hold onto the last podium spot.

Watch the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 Live and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports this Sunday April 30 9:00PM AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

With Verstappen starting ahead of Perez in Sunday night’s race the two-time champion will be hoping to get past Leclerc quickly and run away with the victory.

He’ll also be hoping to avoid more lap one contact after several incidents with Mercedes’ George Russell in the opening stages of the sprint left him fuming.

Australia’s Oscar Piastri will start 10th in his McLaren, hoping for another points finish.

Perez claims Sprint race in Azerbaijan! | 02:06

F1 AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX Starting grid

1 Charles LECLERC Ferrari 1:40.203

2 Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing +0.188

3 Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +0.292

4 Carlos SAINZ 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

11 George RUSSELL Mercedes 1:41.654

12 Alexander ALBON Williams +0.164

13 Valtteri BOTTAS Alfa Romeo +0.605

14 Logan SARGEANT Williams +0.741

15 Guanyu ZHOU Alfa Romeo 1:42.642

16 Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +0.020

17 Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team +0.775

18 Pierre GASLY Alpine +2.211

19 Nyck DE VRIES AlphaTauri +12.640

Pit lane Esteban OCON Alpine

Follow the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in our live blog below!