Sergio Perez beats Max Verstappen to get F1 2023 title challenge back on track in Baku

Perez lived up to his ‘kinꦜg of the streets’ nickname with a commanding drive to win around the streets of Baku for the second time in three years.
It means all of his wins for Red Bull have now been at street circuits, having won at Monaco, Singap🐼ore and Saudi Arabia previously for the team.
Perez ran behind Verstappen during the opening phase of the race after they both breezed past polesitter 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Charles Leclerc.
The decisive momꩲent came when Nyck de♏ Vries came to a halt on Lap 11.
Preempting a potential Virtual Safety Car, Red Bull called Verst🅷appen in for fresh 🐻tyres as Perez stayed out.
Shortly after Verstappen’s stop, the💞 Safety Car was deployed to recover de Vries car - this gave Perez a free pit stop, allowing him to rejoin ahead of Verstappen, while Leclerc also got back ahead of the reigning world champion.
The rest of the race was a dull affair as Perez kept Verstappen at arm’s length at ⛎the front of the field, resඣponding to the Dutchman’s pace.
It means Perez has won in Baku for the second time i༺n his career having claimed his maiden victory for Red Bull back in 2021.
It means the Mexican is just six points behind Verstappen in🌠 the title race.

Verstappen secured second which ♎ensured he remained in the lead of the championship.
Leclerc enjoyed a perfect weekend to finish third, fending of𒐪f Fernando Alon꧟so in fourth.
Carlos Sainz resisted late pressure from Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth, while Lance Stroll claimed seventh 🔜despite🌠 brushing the barrier at one point.
George Russell secured the fastest lap as he finish⛄ed eighth following a late pit stop.
Lando Norris and Yuki 🦂Tsunoda rounded out the top 10.

With a sharp eye for F1’s controversies and storylines, Connor is the 🏅heartbea🎃t of our unbiased reporting.