The drivers prepared for the start of the eighth round of the 2022 Formula 1 season, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and although they were aware of the dangers of the start, they all knew that they had to take risks to gain positions.
This is what made Sergio Pérez, thanks to a great reaction at the light of the traffic light, rise to the first position, snatching the lead from Charles Leclerc. The Mexican from Red Bull was the one who came out the best when the race director started the test, and the Monegasque could do little to defend himself, since he blocked the medium tires and went wide.
Checo managed to distance himself from his closest pursuer, and created some gap with respect to his teammate and reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who was following in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc in the opening laps. Soon the Red Bull #11 from Guadalajara began to set records in the different sectors of the circuit to prevent his rivals from hunting him when he was in search of his second consecutive victory.
Although there was still a long way to go, the Mexican had many chances to win his second consecutive win at this Baku street circuit, since last season he climbed to the top thanks to several setbacks that occurred during the race.
In his first year with the Milton Keynes team here, he was in second place, behind the Dutchman, but an unexpected blowout by Max Verstappen handed him victory, which was consummated thanks to a braking pass by Lewis Hamilton at the decisive moment of the turn 1 exit after a red flag.
Red Bull still had to choose its strategy after this race start in Baku, as both cars showed a higher pace than Leclerc’s Ferrari, but everything became much easier when first Carlos Sainz and then the Monegasque, left due to problems .
