It had been been 63 days since Scuderia Ferrari’s last win, despite three pole positions during that time, ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP, as the drivers were ready to tackle the difficult twists and turns that the Baku City Circuit has to offer.
Unfortunately for Ferrari, Sergio Perez got off the line better than Charles Leclerc and it was the Red Bull that led into the first corner. The Monegasque driver locked up but just about managed to hold off Max Verstappen for second, with Carlos Sainz staying fourth, as the top four drivers all started on the medium tyres. There was drama at the front but it was a bit quieter in the midfield: Sebastian Vettel overtook Yuki Tsunoda and sat in eighth but that was the only other change in the top ten, while Nicholas Latifi was handed a 10-second stop-go penalty for a starting grid infringement.
Charles Leclerc was already overtaken by one Red Bull, and he had got another right behind him. Max Verstappen was right on the fringe of the DRS zone, about a second behind him. The Dutchman got within the DRS zone, but Charles was holding him off. Sadly, after just ten laps Carlos Sainz had to retire: the Spanish driver ran off at Turn 4 and due to a problem with the car.
It was a strategy gamble for Ferrari who, off the back of a problem for their other driver, called Charles Leclerc for a tyre change. It was quite a long stop for the Monegasque as the front jack got stuck which is not what they will have wanted. The virtual safety car was over and we were back under way!
Max Verstappen very suddenly closed the gap on Sergio Perez and has passed him for the lead on lap 15. However, Charles gained six seconds in the previous four laps on Max Verstappen, with the help of the new fresh tyres. He was told to push it and take the life out of this tyre, because Ferrari had a new set of mediums towards the end of the Grand Prix. He has been struggle on his tyres and Sergio Perez was brought in for a new set of hard tyres. It was a lengthy one too and he comes out with Russell right on his tail. Charles was now back up in second and was told to go for it!
On lap 19 the Dutcham made his pit stop and is a smoother one than his teammate as Verstappen comes back out ahead of Sergio Perez on a new set of hard tyres.
Just a few moments later, disaster hit Ferrari: Charles Leclerc engine failed and both Ferrari cars were out of the race, leaving Red Bull to cruise for a one-two from here.
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