F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023 – LIVE!
The fourth race of the 2023 Formula One season takes place today after a mini break in the calendar, with Charles Leclerc on pole in Baku on what has already been an action-packed weekend.
Yesterday’s sprint race saw Sergio Perez snatch the win off the Ferrari, although it is back to the grid order decided in Friday’s qualifying this afternoon as part of this new weekend format. That’s good news for Max Verstappen, who starts second and well clear of George Russell following their spat in the sprint.
Red Bull will fancy their chances of a pincer movement on Leclerc, unless Carlos Sainz can make an impact from fourth on the grid. Lewis Hamilton starts fifth ahead of Fernando Alonso as the veterans look to gatecrash the party around a circuit that rarely fails to provide drama. Follow the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix live via Standard Sport’s race blog!
Live updates
Max Verstappen and George Russell collide in the sprint
Will we see another battle between these two today? It’s unlikely, with Verstappen starting second and Russell back in 11th.
How the F1 World Championship looks ahead of today’s race
F1 will be back in Baku
Get used to seeing more of Baku.
The FIA has this week agreed a deal with the Azerbaijani capital to host F1 races through to 2026.
And it has also been announced that the city will be the location of the FIA’s annual general assembly and prize giving in December, a ceremony which had traditionally been held in Paris.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix countdown
With the drivers’ parade wrapping up shortly, they will filter back into their garages for the final preparations.
The pit lane opens around 11.20am BST before a final few tweaks on the grid, with the Azerbaijani national anthem set for 11.50am.
It’s then the formation lap and lights out at noon.
Tune into the grid parade live
Baku weather forecast
There is practically no chance of rain in today’s race.
Temperatures are steadily rising in the afternoon sun, heading towards a calm 24°C and a 12mph breeze is blowing across the track.
Starting grid
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull
- Carlos Sainz (Spa) Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes
- Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren
- Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) AlphaTauri
- Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin
- Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren
- George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes
- AlexAlbon (Tha) Williams
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Alfa Romeo
- Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams
- Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Alfa Romeo
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine
- Nyck de Vries (Ned) AlphaTauri
- *Pit lane: Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas, Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine – due to breaking of parc ferme rules
How to watch the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
TV channel: The whole weekend will be shown live on Sky Sports with coverage of Sunday’s race starting at 10.30am on Sky Sports F1 and 11.55am on Main Event.
Free highlights are on Channel 4 at 5.30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can watch live via the Sky Go app.
F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s coverage of the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix!
Today’s race promises to be a cracker with Charles Leclerc on pole position, just as he was in yesterday’s sprint race – which he failed to convert as Sergio Perez took the win.
It is Max Verstappen starting second today however, and the championship leader will be confident of guiding his Red Bull to another victory.
Carlos Sainz may have something to say about that, from fourth on the grid.
Follow all the action from Baku City Circuit right here, with all the build-up, race action and reaction!