This year, the Sprint Shoutout session, which would take place for the first time at the Formula 1 Grand Prix, started with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In the SQ3 were 10 pilots competing while, 5+5 in got out from of the races at SQ1, SQ1. Among them, was Logan Sargeant from Williams team which crashed in SQ1. Leclerc, Perez and Verstappen were the top three finishers at SQ3. It is interesting that Leclerc won the first pole because he had the fastest lap despite of his accident later. Lando Norris took the 10th position without showing any results. This race was a qualifying for the grid position in the Sprint race that would take place in the evening.

In the sprint race, Yuki Tsunoda from the AlphaTauri team crashed into the wall on the right side while he lost his tire in the first lap. Although it was later repaired and the car was returned to the game, in fact, it had serious issues which caused a danger determined while the car was on the track, thus he stopped the racing as it caused a danger. It was pointed out by the Stewards that the tire should have been checked more seriously, and for this reason the team was fined 5000 Euros.

Overall, the race ended successfully for Perez – he finished in first place, and Leclerc, Verstappen finished behind him. The difference between the first and other cars were 4 and 8 seconds, while the time difference between Esteban Ocon, the last pilot, was 60 seconds.

Photographer: Nurlan Tahirli