2023 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix highlights

With 22 points scored at the end of the first Sprint race weekend of the 2023 season, Fernando, Lance and Team Principal Mike Krack offer their thoughts on the 2023 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Fernando and Lance raced up the order in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on race day to come away with plenty of points on the board.

Both drivers made moves in the race’s early stages and delivered decisive overtakes on the Safety Car restart to help secure their results after fighting until the race’s final laps.

At the end of a fast and frenetic weekend, the drivers and Team Principal, Mike Krack, shared their views on how the race was shaped.

Fernando Alonso

We had a tricky weekend with the DRS issue on Friday and Saturday, but despite this, we finished only one second away from the podium at the chequered flag. With that in mind, I have to be happy with the fourth position and our overall performance, which was encouraging all race.

Thankfully, the DRS worked fine today, and our tyre management was vital. I thought the tailwind was quite random, and here in Baku, you are always on the edge.

We only have to wait a few days before racing again, so let’s see what we can do next week in Miami!

Lance Stroll

It was pretty tough out there today. I was happy with my start and the Safety Car restart, but I didn’t feel comfortable with the car once the race started and made a slight mistake. A little misjudgement can end your day here, so I was fortunate to get away with brushing the wall and managed to continue with the race.

Once Lewis [Hamilton] passed me, it was about maintaining position and holding George [Russell] off for the remaining laps. He was pushing hard, but we managed the tyres well, and I could keep him behind me.

Mike Krack

Another well-executed weekend by the entire team, and we left Baku with 22 points. That is a good return from a challenging event on a demanding street circuit.

Full credit to the drivers who did an excellent job in making progress from their starting positions. They managed the Hard tyres well over a long stint while maintaining a good race pace and brought the cars home safely to round off a clean weekend.

This sets us up nicely for our first trip of the year to the United States next week as we get ready to entertain the fans in Miami.

Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team best pictures:

Helmets, portrait, Baku City Circuit, GP2304a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team

portrait, TS-Live, Baku City Circuit, GP2304a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23, during the pre-race driver presentation

portrait, TS-Live, Baku City Circuit, GP2304a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23, during the pre-race driver presentation

action, Baku City Circuit, GP2304a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23

action, Pit Stops, Baku City Circuit, GP2304a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23, makes a pit stop

Helmets, Portrait, Baku City Circuit, GP2304a, F1, GP, Azerbaijan
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, and Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team, in Parc Ferme after Qualifying

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