Azerbaijan GP Qualifying: Sergio Perez Passes Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc On Sprint

 

Charles Leclerc could not live up to the challenge against Red Bull on Sprint as Sergio Perez sped passed the Ferrari driver in the season's first Sprint race in Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Coming the race, Leclerc had already claimed the pole at the qualifying session as the F1 rules for Sprint shootouts determine pole from winner of the final practice and will start in pole: Saturday standalone does not impact of Sunday's final race. 

However, Perez gave his rival a good showdown on Red Bull advantage on the straight and held off Leclerc to the flag chequer to win the Sprint. 

Max Verstappen finished third. Earlier into the race, he had a collision with George Russell and managed to reclaim position from the Mercedes driver but was kept in third by Leclerc whilst Russell finished fourth. 

Verstappen will start in second since he had secured the position from qualifying and Perez in third. Lewis Hamilton will start in sixth place and Fernando Alonso in seventh on first Sprint shootout of the season.