Leclerc takes pole ahead of Sprint race in Baku

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc made it two pole positions in as many days by leading the new sprint shootout at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc took pole for Saturday’s sprint race despite crashing on his final lap of the shortened qualifying session. He beat Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, with Mercedes driver George Russell in fourth.

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Leclerc sees off Verstappen to claim pole in Azerbaijan

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc became the first non-Red Bull driver to take a pole position this year with a stunning lap at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.188 seconds. Sergio Perez was third in the second Red Bull ahead of Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz.

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Laurent Mekies to replace Franz Tost as AlphaTauri Team Principal

Franz Tost will be replaced at the end of this season as team principal of Red Bull’s Alpha Tauri team by Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies. Peter Bayer, previously F1 executive director and secretary general for motorsport at the FIA, will become the team’s chief executive.

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F1 announces changes to F1 Sprint format

Formula 1 is to introduce a new format for ‘sprint’ races, starting at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The ‘sprint’ – a shorter race held on Saturday – has been made independent of the grand prix and will have its own qualifying session, known as the ‘sprint shootout’.

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Lance Stroll to miss pre-season testing after training accident

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is to miss this week’s pre-season test after suffering “minor injuries” in a cycling accident. The Canadian’s team have not yet decided how to cover his absence over the three days in Bahrain starting on Thursday Stroll’s injury means there is a risk he could miss the opening race weekend at the same track on 3-5 March.

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