WATCH: Sergio Perez goes ‘Elbows Out’ and takes lead as Charles Leclerc locks up in Azerbaijan GP start


WATCH: Sergio Perez goes ‘Elbows Out’ and takes lead as Charles Leclerc locks up in Azerbaijan GP start

Charles Leclerc (Left) & Sergio Perez (Right)

Charles Leclerc was the pole setter in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix followed up by Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen; during the formation lap, Perez was told by his engineers to push “elbows out” in the first corner itself. As the race started, both Leclerc and Perez had a magnificent start, but Perez managed to react just a fraction of a second faster to the lights going off. In the first corner itself, Charles locked up his left front tyre which saw him lose the lead to Sergio Perez. 

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Sergio Perez took the lead of the race and managed to make a +2 second gap on Leclerc, which made it hard for him to gain the position back. Leclerc faced a lock up due to the cold temperatures of the tyres and brakes. 

Sergio Perez pushed as hard as he could on the first lap, but since his tyres were not completely in the ideal temperature, he was said to be facing traction issues out of the corners. 

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Also read: “No fighting,” Sergio Perez instructed by Red Bull to not engage in duel with Max Verstappen

Red Bull cheered up as Ferrari faces a double DNF

Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez

Right after losing position, Leclerc pushed hard whilst battling Verstappen to gain back his position, but soon enough, Carlos Sainz in his Ferrari, who started on 4th was seen pulling out of the race after a power or a gearbox issue. This made the stewards deploy a Virtual Safety Car, under which many drivers, including Charles Leclerc, pitted to change tyres. Post that Leclerc pushed hard enough to have the fastest lap and P2, but soon he was seen having an engine failure, ultimately making him retire from the race as well. 

This makes Max Verstappen extend his lead further in the championship if he finishes the race, and also gives Sergio Perez a good chance to stand 2nd in the championship, leaving Charles Leclerc behind. 

Also read: “What a fuc**ng embarrassment,” Ferrari fans left stunned after another Charles Leclerc ‘DNF’ in Baku; both Ferraris out of the race

Also read: “Ferrari is not a serious team,” Tifosi react in anger as Carlos Sainz suffers another DNF due to suspected brake by wire failure