Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won the sprint race in Azerbaijan, breezing past the Ferrari of pole man Charles Leclerc on lap eight of the 17-lap blast. Leclerc held on for second place with defending world champion Max Verstappen third. Mercedes’ George Russell finished fourth despite having made a brilliant start from the same position, close dancing through the opening corner with Verstappen, a fierce critic of sprint races. ‘I don’t see how he can drive into my car and keep his position,’ screamed the Red Bull star. They half-succeeded and sent their man back out but the newly attached tyre was at a jaunty angle and the car drifted around for one forlorn lap as if skating sideways.

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