F1 RESULTS: Azerbaijan GP qualifying reaction as Charles Leclerc grabs pole
Charles Leclerc saw off Max Verstappen to put his Ferrari on pole position for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen and Leclerc set identical times in their opening Q3 laps in Baku before the Monegasque returned for a final run to beat his Red Bull rival by 0.188 seconds.
Sergio Perez qualified third ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton fifth, 0.974 sec off the pace. Formula One bosses have tinkered with the weekend format here in Baku by introducing two qualifying sessions.
Friday’s result decides the order for Sunday’s Grand Prix, while a second shorter qualifying session on Saturday determines the starting grid for a 17-lap dash – the first of six sprint events this season – later that day.
Follow live reaction from qualifying with The Independent
F1 QUALIFYING - AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX
Charles Leclerc claims pole in Azerbaijan; Verstappen 2nd; Perez 3rd
SHOCK! George Russell out in Q2, also out: Ocon, Albon, Bottas, Sargeant
Nico Hulkenberg out in Q1, also out: Zhou, Magnussen, Gasly, De Vries
RED FLAG! Nyck de Vries and Pierre Gasly both crash in Q1
Max Verstappen questions future in Formula 1: ‘Is it actually a good life?’
COMMENT: Why F1’s sprint shake-up could be the beginning of the end for Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc breaks Red Bull dominance with pole in Azerbaijan but Mercedes struggle
16:55 , Kieran Jackson
RACE REPORT
Charles Leclerc saw off Max Verstappen to put his Ferrari on pole position for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Verstappen and Leclerc set identical times in their opening Q3 laps in Baku before the Monegasque returned for a final run to beat his Red Bull rival by 0.188 seconds.
Sergio Perez qualified third ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton fifth, 0.974 sec off the pace.
More below:
Charles Leclerc stuns with pole in Azerbaijan but Mercedes struggle
Fernando Alonso, speaking after qualifying
16:50 , Kieran Jackson
The Spaniard qualified P6.
“We could have been a little bit better. We had some issues with the DRS, being so tight, the standings will make a different. It’s only Friday - a long weekend ahead of us. Plenty of opportunities.
“Ferrari are generally fast, they’ve been unlucky. They showed it today, we try to be more consistent than them.
“Waking up tomorrow and knowing it’s Q1 already, I like the challenge.”
"It's a long weekend ahead of us" 😉
Fernando Alonso is up for the 'challenge' this weekend 💪 pic.twitter.com/AaaKCxLVXT— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Yuki Tsunoda speaking after qualifying
16:42 , Kieran Jackson
“Didn’t expect to be in Q3. First time this year. Everyone really happy with it, especially with new upgrades focused on main-straight speed.
On Tost leaving: “First heard on social media - had lunch with him and didn’t mention it! I definitely try to make him happy - I want him to be happy at the end of the season.
“I change a lot for physical fitness, struggled a lot in 2021. My neck. I increase the amount of training a lot. Feel much better. That’s a mentality as well.”
George Russell speaking after qualifying
16:31 , Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes driver was a shock P11.
“It’s a funny sport this one - both of us qualifying on front row last time to this time both me and Lewis in Q2, Lewis just getting in.
“It’s a unique track. Of all the tracks to have a bad qualifying, this is one we would choose to do it. Fight back on Sunday. Work hard, try and improve my driving.”
George Russell reacts to his Q2 exit in Baku 👇 pic.twitter.com/nrIwiK3bX5
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Lewis Hamilton speaking after qualifying
16:23 , Kieran Jackson
The seven-time world champion qualified P5.
“We’re trying as hard as we can, giving it absolutely everything, timing and rhythm is not easy on this track. Q2 struggled. Q3 was a sweet lap, just matched it at the end. Needed a bit more time to nip a Ferrari.
“We can’t do any changes to the car. This is the pace we have, might be able to eek a bit more tomorrow. This is definitely a good position for Sunday - we exist to win, we haven’t had an upgrade, we’re working towards one which hopefully will put us towards the front.
“I didn’t know we’d have such a huge deficit on the straights. We’ve got a lot of work to do to rectify that, not the easiest car to drive.”
"Needed just a little bit more time to nip a Ferrari" 🤏
Lewis Hamilton reacts to his P5 in an action-packed qualifying in Baku 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/Gi2Fge66fA— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Charles Leclerc, speaking to Sky in the media pen
16:16 , Kieran Jackson
“I like city tracks, Singapore, Monaco, here - you can play with the limits more than a normal track. It’s about building up to be very close to the wall but not touching it. Hopefully four poles in a row with another qualifying tomorrow.
“We’ve done a great job with the setups. The lap today was really good and on the limit, extremely happy.”
Lando Norris speaking after qualifying
16:13 , Kieran Jackson
He qualified P7. But the McLaren driver is not best pleased after qualifying...
“Great result. Upgrades working well, felt I did a better job in my driving. Felt should have been P4 today, bit disappointed honestly. We as the team didn’t make the decisions we needed to make. We put ourselves in the middle of nowhere today.
“It’s two-tenths [to P4]. We’re good in the braking zones, if you look at Australia we weren’t bad. This track suits us more. We’re still a second off, but we should have been four places up. We didn’t maximise today, not going to be able maximise tomorrow.
“Should’ve been P4 today.”
"We should have been P4 today...a bit disappointed honestly" 🤷♂️
Lando Norris gives his thoughts on his qualifying session in Baku 💬 pic.twitter.com/BWZcP2onj3— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Toto Wolff speaking after qualifying
16:07 , Kieran Jackson
“We’re struggling, it’s so tiny the margins behind the top-three. We’re losing it in three corners, in the middle sector the Ferrari is outstanding.
“We have the car in a good window but the car is not stable for the drivers. I’m happy at the end. Both were narrow in Q2 but Lewis made it and it’s good.”
Carlos Sainz, speaking after qualifying
15:59 , Kieran Jackson
“It was a tricky afternoon and morning. Since FP1, I was a bit nowhere with my feeling and the pace of the car. I was coming from behind, really struggling. Bad day.
“Very tricky. I can see why the car is performing very well, for some reason it feels a bit different. Charles around Baku tends to do very good laps but from my side I’ve been struggling since I put the car on track today.
“I’ll do my homework, try to improve and do that tomorrow. It’s a compromise of the sprint format.”
Ferrari racing director Laurent Mekies, speaking to Sky:
15:55 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s a great pole for the team, for Charles. He is very special here. Good to get both cars fighting for the top-4 positions.
“It’s good there’s another small sign that we’re heading for the right direction. It’s good to be starting at the front on Sunday and we’ll see what race-pace we have...”
Charles Leclerc speaking after qualifying
15:46 , Kieran Jackson
“For sure I’m surprised. We came into the weekend thinking it’d be great if we were in front of Aston and Mercedes. We’re on pole, difficult to keep the lead, but very happy with the lap. Feeling was good from the start.”
"It's a really good surprise" 👊
We think Charles is happy with that one 😅 pic.twitter.com/blKw9MS70A— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Max Verstappen speaking after qualifying
15:42 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s tough around here to put the whole lap together. It’s really hard, Q3 you’re on the limit. Not the easiest but nevertheless we’re P2, all in all it’s not bad. We’ll have to pass one car!
“Maybe we can find some things to do better but overall it’s about keeping it clear - super easy to make a mistake round here!”
"All in all, it's not bad" 👊
Max Verstappen reacts to a hectic end to his Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying 👇 pic.twitter.com/Afu61CWGGl— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Sergio Perez speaking after qualifying
15:37 , Kieran Jackson
“It was pretty tricky in Q1 with the amount of red flags. Stick to the same set. Get through without making mistakes. The team has done a great job - disappointing to be in P3, my lap wasn’t very clean.
“We knew the Ferrari was going to be the biggest threat to us.”
It’s the first non-Red Bull pole of the season!
15:32 , Kieran Jackson
The championship favourites not on pole this time; Verstappen 2nd; Perez 3rd.
Lewis Hamilton having a good look at the Ferrari in parc ferme as all the cars park up in the pits!
Here’s the starting grid for Sunday’s race then!
15:31 , Kieran Jackson
1) Charles Leclerc
2) Max Verstappen
3) Sergio Perez
4) Carlos Sainz
5) Lewis Hamilton
6) Fernando Alonso
7) Lando Norris
8) Yuki Tsunoda
9) Lance Stroll
10) Oscar Piastri
11) George Russell
12) Esteban Ocon
13) Alex Albon
14) Valtteri Bottas
15) Logan Sargeant
16) Zhou Guanyu
17) Nico Hulkenberg
18) Kevin Magnussen
19) Pierre Gasly
20) Nyck de Vries
Charles Leclerc on pole position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix!
15:29 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc has done it! He’s gone two-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen (2nd) ith a 1:40:203!
“Yes! Feels good! Amazing job, all the quali! Management incredible. The car was really good, it’s good to be back up top!”
Leclerc’s third pole in a row in Baku!
Sergio Perez in third. Carlos Sainz 4th, Lewis Hamilton 5th.
6-10: Alonso, Norris, Tsunoda, Stroll, Piastri
What an ending to qualifying! 🥵
Charles Leclerc is on pole for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix! 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/fclkN7wx14— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Verstappen against Leclerc - two minutes left in Q3
15:26 , Kieran Jackson
Most of the drivers now out for their second and final laps in Q3 - can Charles Leclerc possibly go any quicker?
Lance Stroll complaining that his DRS isn’t working. Currently P7 - looks unlikely he’ll go any faster!
Max Verstappen goes quickest after the first runs!
15:21 , Kieran Jackson
Mental though - he’s set exactly the same time as Charles Leclerc, but as a result of setting it earlier, he’s on provisional pole! Wow! Both bang on 1:40:455!
Sergio Perez a tenth down in third.
3-10: Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Norris, Tsunoda, Alonso, Stroll, Piastri
Can Leclerc go any quicker?! Six minutes left..
Q3 is underway in Baku to finish qualifying
15:17 , Kieran Jackson
Who will be on pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?!
The 10 drivers competing for the top spots for Sunday’s grid: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Norris, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Alonso, Stroll, Piastri
Twelve minutes to decide it..
George Russell reacts to missing out on Q3
15:15 , Kieran Jackson
Despondent from Russell!
"Ahhhhh sugar" 📻
George Russell reacts to his Q2 exit! pic.twitter.com/xM0ao1jxyG— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
George Russell is out of qualifying!
15:10 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell has not made it - he’s only in P11! Lewis Hamilton only sneaks into Q3 in P10 - 0.004 seconds in it!
A huge shock!
Russell: “We don’t have the pace this weekend guys, another chance tomorrow.”
Also out: Ocon, Albon, Bottas, Sargeant
Top-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez
Carlos Sainz goes off at turn 3!
15:06 , Kieran Jackson
The Ferrari bails out of the corner at turn 3 - didn’t try and make the corner but goes into the run-off area!
Two minutes to go!
Current bottom-five (11-15); Tsunoda, Ocon, Piastri, Bottas, Sargeant
8-10, and in danger: Hamilton, Russell, Albon
Carlos Sainz goes fifth-fastest in Q2
15:05 , Kieran Jackson
Around four minutes left in this second qualifying session; Alex Albon goes ninth-fastest, while Lando Norris finally sets a time and goes seventh.
Lewis Hamilton was in trouble in the bottom-five, but gets into the top-10 - only eighth!
George Russell is only 10th, too! Mercedes not finding much pace right now...
Charles Leclerc goes third-fastest but Carlos Sainz aborts his lap
15:01 , Kieran Jackson
Leclerc - pole-sitter the last two years in Baku -thirs fastest but within a tenth of Perez.
Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris still haven’t set a time, with 6 min 30 sec left...
Current bottom-five (11-15): Piastri, Bottas, Sargeant, Sainz, Norris
Sergio Perez fastest in Q2 after five minutes
14:59 , Kieran Jackson
The Mexican is 0.062 seconds quicker than his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen, with Fernando Alonso two-tenths further back in third.!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Tsunoda, Sargeant, Leclerc (no time), Sainz (no time), Norris (no time)
Vatteri Bottas in danger in 10th right now...
Q2 now underway
14:53 , Kieran Jackson
Once again, the pit lane very busy ahead of the green light showing!
Who will make it through to the top-10 shootout?
15 minutes - plus any more red flags! - until we find out!
Nico Hulkenberg is out of qualifying
14:48 , Kieran Jackson
Logan Sargeant - the one man who hadn’t made Q2 - is through! Zhou Guanyu and Nico Hulkenberg both out though!
Bottom-five (16-20): Zhou, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Gasly, De Vries
Top-3: Leclerc, Verstappen, Alonso
Russell and Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively!
Q2 coming right up...
Two minutes left in Q1...
14:44 , Kieran Jackson
Kevin Magnussen is being told to box - he’s going slow! No red flag yet though! He’s made it back - but is out of qualifying!
The times coming in rapidly now, current bottom-five (16-20): Bottas, Zhou, Magnussen, Gasly, De Vries
Problems for Alfa Romeo!
11-15: Tsunoda, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Sargeant
Top-5: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris
Q1 back underway
14:40 , Kieran Jackson
Third time lucky?!
All the cars - apart from De Vries and Gasly - all out on track for the last seven minutes or so...
Current bottom-five (16-20): Ocon, Tsunoda, Gasly, De Vries, Sainz
12-15: Albon, Zhou, Sargeant, Russell
Three minutes until Q1 starts once again
14:36 , Kieran Jackson
7:32 left. And the cars once more come piling out at the end of the pit lane.
Those tyres will be cooling...
Pierre Gasly in the medical car
14:32 , Kieran Jackson
The Frenchman is all fine after his brush with the wall, but is taken into the medical car as a precaution.
His session is over. He’s only P18 right now, so he’s also out in Q1.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who has still not set a time, spun at turn 1 just before that red flag...
Carlos Sainz goes for a Q1 spin 🌀 pic.twitter.com/NR6qFdwFIf
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Another red flag - Pierre Gasly again!
14:30 , Kieran Jackson
We’ve got another red flag here - Pierre Gasly has touched the wall and has damaged the front of his car!
The Alpine mechanics are earning their keep today!
Session stopped again. 7 minutes and 32 seconds left!
ANOTHER RED FLAG! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ehSb7zmBRU
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
Q1 back underway!
14:26 , Kieran Jackson
The Williams cars of Albon and Sargeant - courtesy of being at the end of the pit lane - are out first onto the Baku City Circuit!
So Nyck de Vries is out of qualifying, so he’ll be one of the drivers in the bottom-five - who will join him?
10 mins left...
Q1 will resume in three minutes time
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
They’ve finally removed De Vries’ stricken AlphaTauri - and we’re just three minutes from getting back underway in Baku!
10:17 left - and there’s already a huge queue at the end of the pit lane!
Q1 paused while De Vries’ car is removed
14:12 , Kieran Jackson
A few complaints from other drivers: Max Verstappen asking for his headrest to be adjusted, while Kevin Magnussen’s Haas car has an electrical issue.
A welcome break in play for Haas then, to check the problem without losing session time.
Bottom-five (16-20): Ocon, Tsunoda, Gasly, De Vries, Sainz (no time yet)
George Russell in a dangerous 15th place right now...
RED FLAG thrown in Q1
14:10 , Kieran Jackson
Nyck de Vries has crashed at turn 3!
The AlphaTauri is firmly in the wall - braked far too late!
“Oh my god, urghhhh!” he exclaims over team radio.
Red flag thrown; 10:17 left in Q1...
RED FLAG!🚩
Nyck de Vries goes into the wall! 😮 pic.twitter.com/NOAdUYkPZD— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
12 minutes left in Q1 in Baku
14:08 , Kieran Jackson
It’s all purple for Max Verstappen first up - he’s fastest by two-tenths to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Good opening from McLaren though, Lando Norris in P3 and Oscar Piastri in P4!
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell 9th and 11th respectively after the first runs...
Carlos Sainz and Nyck de Vries only cars not to set a time so far, 16-20 (bottom-five): Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Gasly, De Vries, Sainz
Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying underway!
13:59 , Kieran Jackson
Q3 begins at the Baku City Circuit, with the clouds just clearing on the coast of the Caspian Sea!
18 minutes, at the end of which we’ll lose the slowest five cars out of all 20.
Unlike tomorrow’s sprint shootout, no tyre restrictions - teams are free to run the tyre compounds they want.
Good news for Pierre Gasly fans - the Alpine mechanics have worked flat out to get his car ready for qualifying, after his car caught fire in practice!
Big queue at the end of the pit lane ahead of the green light...
F1 qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix starts in just five minutes
13:55 , Kieran Jackson
The first of four competitive sessions this weekend in Baku begins at 2pm (BST).
Who will be on pole position for Sunday’s grand prix?
A reminder: today’s qualifying session sets the grid for Sunday. Tomorrow’s sprint shootout sets the grid for the sprint race later on Saturday, with the results having no bearing on the grid for Sunday.
A new era for Formula 1!
Max Verstappen vs Charles Leclerc in practice earlier today
13:50 , Kieran Jackson
Interesting breakdown of FP1 strengths between Verstappen and Leclerc!
Max bossing the straights →
Charles controlling the corners ↱
Just 0.037s separated the pair in practice 😮#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/zgPlFbphVe— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2023
What time is F1 qualifying in Azerbaijan?
13:45 , Kieran Jackson
We’re just 15 minutes away from qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix at the Baku City Circuit!
Will it be Max Verstappen on pole - or maybe Charles Leclerc for the third year running? And what about Mercedes?
Stay right here for live updates!
Lewis Hamilton unfazed after Charles Leclerc tipped for Mercedes move
13:36 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton insists reports linking Charles Leclerc with a shock move to Mercedes is having “no impact” on his own contract negotiations.
Hamilton, who has won six of his seven world titles with Mercedes since his arrival at the team in 2013, is out of contract at the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
While both the 38-year-old and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have emphasised that a new deal will be signed, no extension seems forthcoming at this point of the season.
Though Mercedes have had issues of their own to contend with, reports in the Italian media have linked Ferrari’s Leclerc with a move to the Silver Arrows. Leclerc’s deal at the Scuderia expires at the end of the 2024 season.
Lewis Hamilton unfazed after Leclerc tipped for Mercedes move amid contract talks
Max Verstappen questions future in Formula 1: ‘Is it actually a good life?’
13:28 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has once again questioned his long-term future in Formula 1 after the shake-up to the sprint format announced this week.
Coming into play for the first time in Azerbaijan this weekend, qualifying for Sunday’s race will take place on Friday afternoon after first practice - and the only practice session of the weekend.
Saturday will be ‘sprint day’ with a new sprint shootout qualifying session before the sprint race on Saturday, which will have no impact on the grid for Sunday’s grand prix. In contrast to most of the field, Verstappen is not in favour of the changes and after raising the prospect of quitting the sport a month ago in Australia, the Red Bull driver doubled down on those thoughts in Baku on Thursday.
Full quotes below:
Max Verstappen questions future in F1: ‘Is it actually a good life?’
FP1 RESULTS: Max Verstappen edges out Charles Leclerc in only Azerbaijan GP practice
13:20 , Kieran Jackson
FP1 report and results
Max Verstappen edged out Charles Leclerc to finish fastest in the sole practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Formula One bosses have changed the weekend format in Baku, with the introduction of two qualifying sessions – one to decide the order for Sunday’s grand prix, and the other determining the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint race, the first of six sprint events this season.
Practice has been slashed from three hours to just one, ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s main event at 5pm local time (2pm UK) on Friday.
More below:
Max Verstappen tops only Azerbaijan GP practice but Mercedes struggle
Pierre Gasly has practice to forget in Baku
13:14 , Kieran Jackson
Work to do for the Alpine mechanics to get Gasly’s car ready for qualifying at 2pm!
A nightmare start to Pierre Gasly's weekend 💔#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/YjP6o73bnR
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2023
F1 sprint shootout format approved by teams for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
13:03 , Kieran Jackson
The F1 Commission and the FIA have approved new sprint weekend format changes which will see an extra qualifying session added to the schedule for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The new order of play sees a new ‘sprint shootout’ take place on Saturday morning instead of a second practice session, with traditional qualifying on Friday now setting the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.
It means there will be just one practice session over the course of the weekend, while Saturday is designated ‘sprint day’.
Full story below:
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
A reminder of the results from practice this morning!
12:54 , Kieran Jackson
Verstappen 1st; Leclerc 2nd; Perez 3rd
🏁 FP1 CLASSIFICATION 🏁
Max Verstappen leads a chaotic opening session! #AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/t6ETRloYRG— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2023
Franz Tost to step down as AlphaTauri team principal at end of season
12:44 , Kieran Jackson
Franz Tost will step down as team principal of AlphaTauri at the end of the season.
The 67-year-old has held the position at Red Bull’s sister team since 2005, making him the longest-serving team boss on the grid. However, he will leave the team at the end of the 2023 campaign to be replaced by current Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies.
More below:
Franz Tost to step down as AlphaTauri team principal at end of season
What time is F1 qualifying today?
12:30 , Kieran Jackson
What is the race schedule this weekend in Azerbaijan?
(All times BST)
Friday 28 April
Qualifying (for Sunday’s grand prix): 2pm
Saturday 29 April
Sprint shootout: 9:30am
Sprint race: 2:30pm
Sunday 2 April
Grand Prix: Midday
Can F1 Academy provide pathway for women to race in Formula 1?
12:23 , Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
2026 will be a significant year for Formula 1. It is the next chapter in the sport’s revolutionary regulations overhaul, with a greater emphasis on electric power and sustainable fuels. German giant Audi will join the grid. Porsche, Honda and Andretti could be in the paddock too. With the sport’s snowballing popularity, who knows how many races there will be by then too?
Yet it will also mark 50 years since a woman last started a grand prix: Lella Lombardi finished 12th at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, the last of her 12 races. Appropriate, then, that the launch of the new all-female racing series – the F1 Academy – should start later today at the same track, now named the Red Bull Ring, in the Styrian mountains.
Lombardi and Italian compatriot Maria Teresa de Filippis are the only two drivers to have started an F1 race in the sport’s 72-year history. Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 chief executive, stated last year it was “very unlikely” that the sport would have a female driver in the next five years. But the former Ferrari boss has done more than most to accelerate the prospects of girls competing in single-seater competition.
F1 Academy is aiming to give 15 drivers the tools, experience and – most important of all – the financial backing to progress up the ladder. Seven meets this year will see 21 races, all at solidified elite-level tracks, culminating with action at the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Texas in October. There will be three drivers per team; teams already knowledgable in feeder series’ like F2 and F3.
F1 Academy provides fresh hope for female pathway to Formula 1
Max Verstappen edges out Charles Leclerc in only Azerbaijan GP practice
12:13 , Kieran Jackson
FP1 report and results
Max Verstappen edged out Charles Leclerc to finish fastest in the sole practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Formula One bosses have changed the weekend format in Baku, with the introduction of two qualifying sessions – one to decide the order for Sunday’s grand prix, and the other determining the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint race, the first of six sprint events this season.
Practice has been slashed from three hours to just one, ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s main event at 5pm local time (2pm UK) on Friday.
More below:
Max Verstappen tops only Azerbaijan GP practice but Mercedes struggle
Lewis Hamilton unfazed after Charles Leclerc tipped for Mercedes move
12:08 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton insists reports linking Charles Leclerc with a shock move to Mercedes is having “no impact” on his own contract negotiations.
Hamilton, who has won six of his seven world titles with Mercedes since his arrival at the team in 2013, is out of contract at the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
While both the 38-year-old and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have emphasised that a new deal will be signed, no extension seems forthcoming at this point of the season.
Though Mercedes have had issues of their own to contend with, reports in the Italian media have linked Ferrari’s Leclerc with a move to the Silver Arrows. Leclerc’s deal at the Scuderia expires at the end of the 2024 season.
Lewis Hamilton unfazed after Leclerc tipped for Mercedes move amid contract talks
Max Verstappen quickest but Mercedes not in the top-10!
11:55 , Kieran Jackson
Here’s the full leaderboard from FP1 this morning!
🏁 FP1 CLASSIFICATION 🏁
Max Verstappen leads a chaotic opening session! #AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/t6ETRloYRG— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2023
Red Bull boss Christian Horner
11:49 , Kieran Jackson
“A huge amount to try and get through, a lot of data to look over. Clean laps today and then the racing starts,” he tells Sky Sports.
“It’s mad to be doing a sprint race at the circuit from a teams point of view, the jeopardy... it’s about trying to navigate it.
“A lot of things can catch you out there. It’s a track that bites. A lot of concerns.
“Priority is to take as many points as you can. The drivers are free to race so long as they do it cleanly and respect each other and the team.”
Max Verstappen goes quickest, just beating Charles Leclerc!
11:35 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen goes quickest right at the end - his 1:42:315 is 0.037 secs ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc! Sergio Perez in third, 0.139 seconds behind Verstappen.
Impressive showing from McLaren’s Lando Norris and AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries - in the top-six!
4-10: Sainz, Norris, De Vries, Stroll, Alonso (M), Albon, Zhou
Lewis Hamilton 11th in the end on mediums - and George Russell all the way down in 17th!
Sergio Perez goes quicker than Max Verstappen!
11:24 , Kieran Jackson
With a lot of the field using softs to finish the session, Sergio Perez has gone three-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen in a surprise swap of positions at Red Bull!
Alex Albon is third for Williams, nearly a second down on Perez, while Lewis Hamilton has found his groove - he’s fourth, 1.1 secs behind Perez, but on medium tyres!
5-10: Stroll, De Vries, Sainz, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Piastri
Just 5 minutes to go...
Just 15 minutes left of FP1 in Azerbaijan
11:17 , Kieran Jackson
Slight change in the top-3 positions - Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin has split the Red Bulls!
The Canadian is second-fastest, two-tenths down on Verstappen.
Top-10: Verstappen, Stroll, Perez, Sainz, De Vries, Leclerc, Alonso, Russell, Albon, Norris
Lewis Hamilton? Down in 12th for the time being...
Esteban Ocon is out of practice!
11:05 , Kieran Jackson
It’s got even worse for Alpine - Esteban Ocon is also now out of the session!
Maybe they’re worried that the issue on Gasly’s car could be replicated on Ocon’s?!
For a team who ended the last race in Australia in such horrific fashion, they’ve continued where they left off!
Practice session back underway
11:02 , Kieran Jackson
We’re back underway - we’ve lost Gasly, Magnussen and Tsunoda for now!
30 minutes left for the drivers to fine-tune their setups ahead of grand prix qualifying later!
Current top-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc
Pierre Gasly looks on at his stricken Alpine on fire
10:57 , Kieran Jackson
With just one hour of practice this weekend, a tough start for Pierre Gasly’s Alpine - a car which is now being lifted by a digger and it will slowly make its way back to the pit lane!
That’ll be it for Gasly’s practice!
Pierre Gasly’s car catches fire and triggers red flag
10:51 , Kieran Jackson
It took a fair while to extinguish the flames on Gasly’s car - but the marshals have finally done it!
Meanwhile, Kevin Magnussen’s Haas is stranded in the run-off area at turn 1...
Far from ideal start to the weekend!
RED FLAG! 🚩
Pierre Gasly has flames coming out of the back of his Alpine! 😮 pic.twitter.com/KPes31MA4g— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 28, 2023
RED FLAG!
10:46 , Kieran Jackson
The rear of Pierre Gasly’s car is on fire - and the red flag is thrown in Baku!
Gasly kept his Alpine running - and he’s now stopped at the castle section! The Frenchman has now jumped rapidly out of the car!
Nightmare start for Alpine! And the rest of the pack, so desperate to get running in before qualifying!
15 minutes gone in FP1!
10:44 , Kieran Jackson
Intriguing first quarter: Max Verstappen is quickest up top with a 1:43:834, while Sergio Perez is second, three-tenths back - both Red Bulls on mediums.
Charles Leclerc goes third, on hards.
Some interesting early take-aways: both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen complaining about the brake pedals at Mercedes. Work to do there.
A few early run-offs, too, with all 20 cars out on track. Kevin Magnussen locking up at turn 16 - and Yuki Tsunoda has an early puncture after a spin and collision with the wall at turn 3!
The AlphaTauri just about makes it back to the pits...
A spin for Tsunoda results in a tyre puncture after contact with the wall 🫣
He heads back to the pits#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/JZkvFzshxk— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2023
Celebrations already at Red Bull!
10:39 , Kieran Jackson
It’s Helmut Marko’s 80th birthday today! The man behind the plan at Red Bull!
We’re underway with FP1 in Baku!
10:32 , Kieran Jackson
A big queue at the end of the pit lane in Baku as we get underway with first - and only - practice in Baku!
An important practice session for the drivers and teams ahead of qualifying later. And it’s dusty out on track too...
Five minutes from cars out on track in Baku!
10:25 , Kieran Jackson
We’ll be underway with FP1 - the only practice session in Baku this weekend - at 10:30am (BST)!
Who will set the early benchmark?
NEW SPRINT WEEKEND FORMAT
10:21 , Kieran Jackson
Here’s all the new detail for this weekend after the format changes:
Friday: Free Practice 1; qualifying (for Sunday’s Grand Prix)
Saturday: Sprint qualifying; sprint race (Top-eight receive points, finish order will have no impact on Grand Prix grid)
Sunday: Grand Prix
Grand prix odds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
10:18 , Kieran Jackson
RACE WINNER
Max Verstappen 2/5
Sergio Perez 9/2
Fernando Alonso 11/1
Lewis Hamilton 12/1
Charles Leclerc, George Russell: 22/1
Carlos Sainz 25/1
PODIUM FINISH
Max Verstappen 2/9
Sergio Perez 4/9
Fernando Alonso 4/7
Lewis Hamilton 8/5
Charles Leclerc, George Russell 13/5
Carlos Sainz 4/1
Lance Stroll 6/1
Odds via www.legalsportsbooks.com
Carlos Sainz still confused at new sprint format
10:10 , Kieran Jackson
Most drivers are in favour of the changes - even if Carlos Sainz isn’t quite at grips with it yet!
Somebody needs to wake Carlos up on Sprint Saturday! 😁#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Tc7e19dfdC
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 27, 2023
Sprint race odds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
10:03 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen 1/3
Sergio Perez 4/1
Fernando Alonso 10/1
Lewis Hamilton 18/1
George Russell 25/1
Charles Leclerc 28/1
Carlos Sainz 50/1
Odds via www.casinosenligne.com
What time is F1 qualifying today?
09:55 , Kieran Jackson
What is the race schedule this weekend in Azerbaijan?
(All times BST)
Friday 28 April
Free Practice 1: 10:30am
Qualifying (for Sunday’s grand prix): 2pm
Saturday 29 April
Sprint shootout: 9:30am
Sprint race: 2:30pm
Sunday 2 April
Grand Prix: Midday
Max Verstappen questions future in Formula 1: ‘Is it actually a good life?’
09:35 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has once again questioned his long-term future in Formula 1 after the shake-up to the sprint format announced this week.
Coming into play for the first time in Azerbaijan this weekend, qualifying for Sunday’s race will take place on Friday afternoon after first practice - and the only practice session of the weekend.
Saturday will be ‘sprint day’ with a new sprint shootout qualifying session before the sprint race on Saturday, which will have no impact on the grid for Sunday’s grand prix. In contrast to most of the field, Verstappen is not in favour of the changes and after raising the prospect of quitting the sport a month ago in Australia, the Red Bull driver doubled down on those thoughts in Baku on Thursday.
Full quotes below:
‘Is it actually a good life?’ Max Verstappen questions future in Formula 1
Can F1 Academy provide pathway for women to race in Formula 1?
09:21 , Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
2026 will be a significant year for Formula 1. It is the next chapter in the sport’s revolutionary regulations overhaul, with a greater emphasis on electric power and sustainable fuels. German giant Audi will join the grid. Porsche, Honda and Andretti could be in the paddock too. With the sport’s snowballing popularity, who knows how many races there will be by then too?
Yet it will also mark 50 years since a woman last started a grand prix: Lella Lombardi finished 12th at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, the last of her 12 races. Appropriate, then, that the launch of the new all-female racing series – the F1 Academy – should start later today at the same track, now named the Red Bull Ring, in the Styrian mountains.
Lombardi and Italian compatriot Maria Teresa de Filippis are the only two drivers to have started an F1 race in the sport’s 72-year history. Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 chief executive, stated last year it was “very unlikely” that the sport would have a female driver in the next five years. But the former Ferrari boss has done more than most to accelerate the prospects of girls competing in single-seater competition.
F1 Academy is aiming to give 15 drivers the tools, experience and – most important of all – the financial backing to progress up the ladder. Seven meets this year will see 21 races, all at solidified elite-level tracks, culminating with action at the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Texas in October. There will be three drivers per team; teams already knowledgable in feeder series’ like F2 and F3.
F1 Academy provides fresh hope for female pathway to Formula 1
FIA followed ‘due process’ as president Mohammed Ben Sulayem accused of sexism
09:09 , Kieran Jackson
Formula One’s ruling body the FIA has said “allegations of abuse are taken very seriously” after its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was accused of sexism.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that former FIA employee Shaila-Ann Rao wrote a letter accusing Ben Sulayem of sexist behaviour following her departure from the federation last year.
Rao, who was the FIA’s interim secretary general for motor sport, left the organisation in December after just six months.
However, the FIA said it followed “due process” following the “specific allegations” surrounding Rao and said an “amicable negotiation” followed.
Responding to the Daily Telegraph’s report, a spokesperson for the FIA said: “The FIA takes allegations of abuse very seriously and addresses all complaints using robust and clear procedures.
FIA followed ‘due process’ as president Mohammed Ben Sulayem accused of sexism
What time is F1 qualifying today?
08:56 , Kieran Jackson
What is the race schedule?
(All times BST)
Friday 28 April
Free Practice 1: 10:30am
Qualifying (for Sunday’s grand prix): 2pm
Saturday 29 April
Sprint shootout: 9:30am
Sprint race: 2:30pm
Sunday 2 April
Grand Prix: Midday
Max Verstappen insists sprint format overhaul changes nothing for him
08:52 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen insists the new format changes to the sprint weekend will have no impact on him, with the Red Bull star instead insisting race weekends need to be shorter in length.
The double world champion, who currently leads the standings by 15 points after three races, has been the most vocal critic of the sprint format and even stated in Australia last time out that constant changes to the race schedule would force him to potentially quit the sport.
The changes announced this week means there will be just one practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with a new ‘sprint shootout’ session on Saturday morning acting as qualifying for the sprint race, which has no bearing on the grid for Sunday’s grand prix - as that will be set in the usual qualifying session taking place on Friday.
“Once you’re up front [in sprint], it’s not making a massive difference,” Verstappen told Sky Sports, when asked about the sprint format changes.
‘Get it over with’: Max Verstappen insists format overhaul changes nothing
Lewis Hamilton unfazed after Charles Leclerc tipped for Mercedes move
08:48 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton insists reports linking Charles Leclerc with a shock move to Mercedes is having “no impact” on his own contract negotiations.
Hamilton, who has won six of his seven world titles with Mercedes since his arrival at the team in 2013, is out of contract at the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
While both the 38-year-old and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff have emphasised that a new deal will be signed, no extension seems forthcoming at this point of the season.
Though Mercedes have had issues of their own to contend with, reports in the Italian media have linked Ferrari’s Leclerc with a move to the Silver Arrows. Leclerc’s deal at the Scuderia expires at the end of the 2024 season.
Lewis Hamilton unfazed after Leclerc tipped for Mercedes move amid contract talks
Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying times and updates as Lewis Hamilton targets pole
08:48 , Kieran Jackson
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of grand prix qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday!
It’s a brand new format this weekend, with FP1 starting at 10:30am (the only practice session this weekend) before qualifying which will set the grid for Sunday at 2pm!
Tomorrow is sprint day, with the new sprint shootout and then the sprint race.
Stay tuned for all the build-up and live updates right here!
