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      Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future thrown in doubt as Mercedes boss Wolff reveals Ferrari star Charles Leclerc ‘on his radar’

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      MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff has revealed Charles Leclerc is on the team’s radar amid speculation surrounding Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion is out of contract at the end of the season, with rumours suggesting he could be set to retire.
      Charles Leclerc is on Toto Wolff’s ‘radar’Credit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton previously shot down rumours of his Mercedes exitCredit: Rex
      If this were to happen there would naturally be a vacant seat at Mercedes.
      And Ferrari poster boy Leclerc, 25, has been tipped to replace him following reports claiming discussions between the two parties had been held.
      Wolff added fuel to the fire by admitting Leclerc was on the team’s “radar”, before later reaffirming the team’s intention to pen an extension with Hamilton.
      He said: “The only time I talked with him is when we discussed where the gate is in Melbourne to board the plane.
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      “Charles is a super guy and for the long-term future someone you have to have on your radar but not for the short and medium term.”
      On Thursday Leclerc appeared to leave the door open to a move by revealing discussions over a move had “not yet” been held.
      However, he later doubled down on these comments to clear the air, declaring he is “fully committed to Ferrari”.
      On these comments, Wolff added: “Nobody doubts Charles’ ability and he is a good guy.
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      “He is 100 per cent committed to Ferrari and we are 100 per cent committed to putting pen to paper with Lewis.”
      Hamilton, who finished P6 in Sunday’s Baku race, previously shot down rumours of his exit, saying: “I think maybe some of the drivers all have different relationships with different bosses and stuff.
      “I like where I am, I love my team, and I’m grateful for the journey we’ve been on and what we’re working on moving forwards. So, it doesn’t have any impact, no.”
      Leclerc took his first pole of the season with an impressive performance in Friday qualifying at the new-look format of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
      But the sheer pace of Red Bull and the street-wise expertise of race-winner Sergio Perez meant a victory was once again snatched from his grasp.
      Since the start of last season Leclerc has been on pole more times than two-time champion Max Verstappen, bringing his career total up to 19.
      Although he has only converted four of these into race wins to give himself a 21 per cent conversion rate.
      Indeed, he now sits just one pole off of former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas when it comes to career poles.
      And it means he could match the unwanted record of most poles without a world championship. More

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      Max Verstappen’s Azerbaijan antics and ‘Princess George’ blast at F1 rival Russell were odd – he must act like a champ

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      THERE was something unusual about Max Verstappen’s behaviour at the Azerbaijan GP – and no, it was not because he didn’t win (for once!).First, there was his reaction to contact with George Russell in the sprint race, calling him a “d***head” and later referring to the Brit as “Princess George”.
      Max Verstappen and George Russell clashed in Baku over the weekendCredit: Splash
      Verstappen was left fuming with RussellCredit: AFP
      Then there was his petulant response when asked his opinion on the new sprint race format weekend, saying “just scrap the whole thing”.
      It was unusual because recently, we have seen a much-more mature world champion while he has enjoyed plenty of success.
      Sure, he used to blow his top and by his own admission made some mistakes when he came into F1, but based on his recent attitude, in Baku it was uncharacteristic.
      As too was the reaction from his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who seemed to rev-up Verstappen with his comments during the sprint race.
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      At one point he radioed Verstappen as he battled Russell saying: “Hold it Max, these guys have got nothing to lose. Just remember that.”
      Verstappen replied: “No mate, he tapped me. That’s how he got the position. F****** report it!”
      Somewhat unprompted, Lambiase later congratulated Verstappen when he made an overtake saying “lovely job Max, without contact as well, nicely done.”
      Of course it was tongue-in-cheek but only served to keep up Verstappen’s fury as he replied “yeah, I know how to do that,” before swearing again.
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      Perhaps I am over-analysing it, but usually Lambiase has a calming influence on his driver.
      There is no denying Verstappen’s talent.
      He’s the best driver on the grid at the moment when it comes to race craft and tyre management.
      He has now passed Ayrton Senna’s total with 81 F1 podiums and is still only 25-years-old.
      Could he now be feeling pressure of seeing his Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez get to within six points of him?
      Irrespective of that, it is all very well being a world champion, but it is another thing to behave like one – and shooting your mouth off isn’t it.
      We have the Miami GP up this weekend where hopefully this time, he will remember to pack his manners.

      TOTTING UP
      INTERESTING to hear Mercedes boss Toto Wolff calling the race “boring”.
      I am sure Red Bull boss Christian Horner would say the same between 2014 and 2020.

      MADE HER MART
      F1’S new all-female racing series kicked off last weekend with Spanish racer Marta Garcia winning both the opening two races at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
      But the championship, which has the aim of bringing female talent to the F1 grid, would not get off the ground without controversy after British racer Abbi Pulling was disqualified.
      Pulling, part of the Alpine F1 team programme, had taken pole in both qualifying sessions – only to lose from both of them due to an “unintentional technical infringement” related to “non-homologated parts” on all three Rodin Carlin team cars.

      BAGNAIA’S BEST WIN
      MOTOGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia hailed his victory in the Spanish MotoGP at Jerez as his best ever.
      The Ducati ace recovered from a penalty for clashing with Jack Miller to ease the pressure after a slow start to the season.
      Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo’s miserable run extended after he was forced to take a double long lap penalty for causing a collision.
      The Yamaha rider was adamant he was not to blame and served the penalty before the stewards judged he touched the outside white line upon re-entering the track, forcing him to take it a second time.
      Former MotoGP world champion Quartararo is down in 11th place in the championship.

      ALL THE THRILLS
      FORMULA E returns to action this weekend in Monaco.
      The series is enjoying some competitive racing this season with a whopping 362 overtakes during the last two races in Berlin. More

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      Fabio Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira collide in horror Spanish MotoGP crash as star stretchered away

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      TWO MotoGP riders were stretchered away after a horror collision in the Spanish Grand Prix.Fabio Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira battled it out on the bikes at the Circuito de Jerez in Seville.
      Fabio Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira crashed out of the MotoGP Spanish Grand PrixCredit: AFP
      The pair collided on the track in dramatic scenesCredit: Getty
      Oliveira was stretchered away to safetyCredit: Getty

      They tried to take a tight right-hand bend at high speed towards the back of the field.
      But as they approached the turn, Quartararo got sandwiched between Marco Bezzecchi and Oliveira and clipped the latter’s wheels.
      Both ended up skidding across the gravel as their bikes hit the barriers in the latest scary crash of the season.
      Terrifying on-board footage showed the incident unfold and the shocking moment the riders came off.
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      Quartararo and Oliveira underwent checks by doctors in an ambulance as the race was red-flagged.
      The former somehow escaped unhurt and got the all clear then the Frenchman went on to finish tenth.
      But Portuguese Oliveira suffered a dislocated left shoulder and was declared unfit to continue.
      It is the second time this season the RNF Aprilia man has been knocked out of a race by another rider after Marc Marquez crashed into him in Portimao.
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      That forced Oliveira to miss Argentina and means the 28-year-old has completed just one of the first four races of the season.
      Pre-race championship leader Bezzecchi also crashed out on a dramatic day in the MotoGP.
      And it was his Ducatti team-mate Francesco Bagnaia that eventually took the chequered flag.
      He was checked over in an ambulance but dislocated his shoulderCredit: Reuters
      Quartararo walked away unhurt and finished tenthCredit: Reuters More

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      Horrifying moment Esteban Ocon almost runs over photographers in middle of pitlane at ‘shambolic’ Azerbaijan GP

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      CHAOTIC scenes took place at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday when Esteban Ocon almost ran over photographers as he made his way into the pitlane.The Alpine driver, 26, was forced into stopping on the last lap of the race as he dropped out of the points.
      Photographers were spread across the pitlane as Esteban Ocon came inCredit: Sky Sports
      “This is a SHAMBLES, absolute shambles!!” 😮A scary moment in the pit lane at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with people not realising Esteban Ocon was still to pit 👇pic.twitter.com/L2I56JV2OI— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 30, 2023

      Ocon was desperately close to hitting those in the wayCredit: Sky Sports
      But things could have ended a whole lot worse for the Frenchman through no fault of his own.
      As he dived into the pitlane, F1 photographers were blocking the entrance by covering the track.
      And Ocon’s on-board camera showed he was desperately close to hitting those that reacted at the last possible moment.
      Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz was speaking to commentator David Croft when the incident took place.
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      And he reacted angrily to the dangerous episode.
      Kravitz said: “What is this about? This is a shambles, an absolute shambles.
      “We can see it coming. Alpine can see it coming. What is going on down there?”
      Croft then added: “That is a total and utter shambles of organisation and somebody should have known.”
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      Ocon’s late pitstop saw him finish 15th as he remains on just four points from four races.
      Meanwhile, Red Bull continued their dominant start to the season as they picked up their fourth successive win.
      But it was Sergio Perez who outperformed reigning world champion Max Verstappen to claim victory, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounding out the podium places.
      The result leaves Verstappen just six points ahead of team-mate Perez in the drivers’ standings.
      Next weekend the paddock heads to the US for the Miami Grand Prix. More

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      Max Vertsappen and George Russell sprint race row heats up as Dutch F1 champ blasts ‘Princess George’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has continued to berate George Russell following Saturday’s Formula One sprint race.The two drivers almost collided during the first lap of the highly-anticipated sprint as Russell squeezed past his Red Bull rival at turn three.
      Verstappen and Russell were embroiled in a huge row after Saturday’s sprintCredit: AFP
      The Dutchman called Russell a ‘princess’ in an interviewCredit: Getty
      Verstappen, who dropped down to fourth as a result, was left furious as he claimed that he was pushed into the wall.
      And he continued to vent his anger after the race had finished.
      The Dutchman called Russell a “d***head” when the two came face-to-face in the paddock.
      And he later labelled the Brit a “princess” when speaking to Dutch media.
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      He said: “You can also attack me without driving into my car. Oh, defending on the outside is not allowed because ‘Princess George’ is there? At the end of the day, that’s his problem too.
      “Things can also go wrong very quickly. There is no chance. I am driving past him easily within three laps anyway. This does not make much sense.

      “Everyone has their own opinion. But I think I gave him space and then he should also just take that corner normally.
      “If you bump into each other with the wheels sometimes that can happen.
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      “That’s not ideal either, but if you cause a hole for someone else, that’s a bit more than just with the wheels against each other.”
      When asked about the row before the race today, Russell said there were “no hard feelings” on his part.
      Verstappen went on to come third in the sprint, behind teammate Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. More

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      F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Perez pips Verstappen to P1 while Hamilton finishes 4th in gruelling Baku race

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      SERGIO PEREZ has WON the Azerbaijan Grand Prix by pipping Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen to the chequered flag.It’s a triumph that sees Red Bull secure four consecutive first-place finishes this season.
      While British serial winner, Lewis Hamilton could only achieve fourth spot.

      RESULT: Perez (P1) Verstappen (P2) Leclerc (P3)
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

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      Follow all the action with our live blog below…
      Drivers standings heading into Miami Grand Prix
      Here are how the driver’s championship standings look as we head into the next race in Miami.

      Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 93 pts
      Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 87 pts
      Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 60 pts
      Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 48 pts
      Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 34 pts
      Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 28 pts
      George Russell (Mercedes) 28 pts
      Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 27 pts

      In the race for the world championship it is all to play for with very little between the two Red Bull drivers.
      See you in Miami.
      Final standings for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
      Here are the full race standings from Baku.
      Sergio Perez was ‘driver of the day’.
      George Russell recorded the fastest lap time on the very last lap of the day.
      Credit: @F1
      Perez celebrates big win in Baku
      Sergio Perez completes a clean sweep of wins and becomes the first driver to get multiple wins in Baku.
      The Mexican driver really enjoyed this one.

      Verstappen gracious in defeat
      As the three drivers sit and watch the race back before the podium, Perez says to his team mate he was unlucky with the safety car.
      “Ah these things happen, you had the same in Jeddah” is the reply from the Dutch driver.
      Good to see the Red Bull drivers appreciating each other backstage.
      Charles Leclerc tells the pair how he held off Fernando Alonso who was only 0.6 seconds behind him after his final push.
      Checo claims sixth Grand Prix win
      Sergio Perez has had some weekend in Baku.
      Winning both the sprint race and the Grand Prix.
      You can see how much it means to the Red Bull driver.
      Credit: Reuters
      Red Bull continue win streak
      Sergio Perez becomes the first multiple winner of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, adding to his 2021 victory.
      Max Verstappen paid the price for pitting the lap before the safety car came out.
      Charles Leclerc did well to hold off Fernando Alonso and get his first podium finish of the season.
      The change of tyres right at the end worked for George Russell as he took the fastest lap of the day for the extra point.
      Credit: Reuters
      Azerbaijan Grand Prix results

      Sergio Perez
      Max Verstappen
      Charles Leclerc
      Fernando Alonso
      Carlos Sainz

      Sergio Perez wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix
      Lap 50/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      Max Verstappen closes Sergio Perez’s lead to 3 seconds.
      Lewis Hamilton seems to be shaving a little off Carlos Sainz’s lead but then it goes back up to around the 1.1 second mark.
      George Russell looks ready to pit as he will be able to pit and come back out in the same position, eighth place.
      He will go for the fastest lap of the day then for the extra points.
      Fernando Alonso currently holds the fastest lap.
      Credit: Getty
      Lap 48/51 – Perez holds off team mate
      This could be a big win for Sergio Perez to gain on Max Verstappen in the championship standings.
      Meanwhile, Lando Norris does brilliantly on turn seven to take Niko Hulkenberg and move into the points.
      With the ease he took him, you have to question whether Niko’s tyres have gone.
      Lewis Hamilton is struggling to make his move on Carlos Sainz.
      Lap 46/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen trails
      It is looking like Sergio Perez has this race sewn up.
      Max Verstappen is struggling to gain on him at all.
      His team mate takes his lead back up to 3.5 seconds.
      Charles Leclerc is going hard and managing to keep Fernando Alonso a decent distance from him.
      Carlos Sainz is a huge distance behind the Spanish Aston Martin driver.
      Lap 44/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      Max Verstappen is hugging the walls on the turns.
      You would struggle to get a credit card between his car and the advertising walls.
      He has slightly closed the gap on Perez but the Mexican has put in the fastest lap of the day.
      The interesting duals are the race for third and fifth places.
      Both Alonso and Hamilton are putting the pressure on.
      Suddenly from nowhere, Charles Leclerc puts in the fastest lap.
      Lap 42/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      Fernando Alonso seems game to push that podium.
      He asks his team how many laps left, on hearing the answer he says “good number, let’s go for it!”
      Currently he is 4.6 seconds behind Charles Leclerc.
      Verstappen is 3.5 seconds behind Perez and may be settling for second place here today.
      Meanwhile Carlos Sainz gets some good exits from the turns to keep a DRS infused Lewis Hamilton at bay.
      Credit: Reuters
      Lap 40/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      With everyone seemingly looking for a one-stop race, Fernando Alonso seems like he is trying to manage his tyres.
      He was within seconds of Leclerc at one stage but now the gap is considerable.
      Aston Martin could be waiting for the last ten laps to reassess and decide whether they go for a tyre change.
      Mercedes are readying the pit, Russell who is in eighth place may be looking to try and get a fastest lap in.
      It would take some driving for Fernando Alonso to get another podium finish in Baku today.
      Lap 38/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen chases
      Lewis Hamilton has shaved a lot of Carlos Sainz’s lead thanks to the use of DRS.
      Only 0.42 seconds behind the Ferrari now.
      Meanwhile, Perez has opened up a 3 second lead over Verstappen now, not something we have seen much of this season.
      Charles Leclerc has a sizable lead over Fernando Alonso.
      Lap 36/51 – Perez and Verstappen open lead
      The Red Bull cars now have a mammoth 13 second gap on the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc in third place.
      Starting at the front of the grid, many said that a sprint track like this could see the Ferrari driver go for a win.
      However, this Red Bull car makes it look like two boxers from very different weight classes sparring.
      Fernando Alonso has a 7 second lead over Carlos Sainz in fifth now.
      Lap 34/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      It remains to be seen whether Verstappen considers a tyre change to take on Sergio Perez in this race.
      Red Bull do have a set of hard compounds available, something Ferrari do not have the luxury of.
      Lewis Hamilton isn’t happy with his tyres and may consider another pit before the end of the race.
      The key is doing it at the right time and he could use it to his advantage.
      Lap 32/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      Max Verstappen is reporting some car issues with the diff and braking.
      He is still able to put in the fastest lap of the day.
      The Dutchman has a 12 seconds gap to Charles Leclerc in third now.
      Fernando Alonso is closing the gap on the Ferrari in third.
      Credit: Getty
      Lap 30/51 – Perez first, Verstappen second
      Red Bull gives you wins, should be the F1 mantra this season.
      The constructor’s championship may be awarded earlier than seen for some time.
      Potentially, the ‘box, box’ call to Verstappen before the safety car came out could cost him this race to Perez.
      Sergio Perez now has a 2.3 second lead on his team mate.
      Lap 28/51 – Perez leads from Verstappen
      While the Red Bull car is obviously better than anything else F1 has to offer this season, you cannot take anything away from the drivers.
      Both Perez and Verstappen have driven good races here today, opening a huge gap to the field.
      Charles Leclerc seemed unable to do anything in losing position to the Red Bull pair.
      When DRS is active it is like a Ford Fiesta trying to pull away from a supercar at traffic lights.
      Lap 26/51 – Perez leads from Verstappen
      Unless something drastic happens this is turning into a battle of the Red Bulls in Baku.
      They have a 10 second leads on Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari in third place.
      Only a safety car could mix things up here.
      Alonso seems content in fourth right now, not looking to put pressure on Leclerc just yet.
      Carlos Sainz is 3.5 seconds behind the Aston Martin car.
      Lap 24/51 – Red Bulls lead the way
      Sergio Perez has gained two places on his grid start.
      He is driving well to go toe to toe with Max Verstappen.
      Having to put in some fast laps to keep the lead.
      The two Ferraris occupy third and fifth with Fernando Alonso sandwiched in between them.
      Mercedes are talking tactics on the radio, believing Lance Stroll is planning a one-stop strategy to the race.
      Lap 22/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      The replay shows Stroll had some serious understeer on that corner and had to over-compensate.
      It was the opening Hamilton needed to take him.
      Sergio Perez has a 1.3 second lead on his team mate.
      Lance Stroll is having to defend against George Russell now.
      The Red Bulls are 8.6 seconds ahead of the Ferrari in third place now.
      Credit: AFP
      Lap 20/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      Fernando Alonso feeds back to his team some brake balance tips for team mate Lance Stroll.
      It is like the Spaniard has woken up on the right side of the bed today, he is all about the love for Lance Stroll.
      Max Verstappen puts in the fastest lap.
      The Baku drift is seeing a lot of cars kissing the barriers on some turns.
      Lance Stroll gets turn 16 all wrong and allows Lewis Hamilton through who had DRS in play.
      Lap 18/51 – Perez leads, Verstappen second
      Sergio Perez can breathe a sigh of relief.
      They were looking at a potential unsafe release as he pulled out of the pit in front of Charles Leclerc who was coming in.
      It has been reviewed with no further action taken.
      Lance Stroll clips the wall on a corner and radios in for his team to check his tyre integrity.
      He still holds sixth place ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
      Load more entries… More

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      Red Bull continue dominance as Sergio Perez wins ahead of Max Verstappen at Azerbaijan GP with Hamilton down in sixth

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      SERGIO PEREZ cruised to victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.Charles Leclerc was third to earn Ferrari their first podium of the season, having started on pole.
      Perez won the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCredit: AFP
      The 33-year-old is now just six points behind his team-mate in the drivers standingsCredit: AP
      But in truth this was a dull procession and another crushing performance from Red Bull.
      However, there were chaotic scenes right at the death when team members and photographers were allowed into the pitlane BEFORE Esteban Ocon had made his pitstop.
      Serious safety concerns will be raised as to how it was allowed to happen for it could have had devastating consequences.
      It was the only abnormality in a routine race.
      It took just four laps for Verstappen to catch and pass Leclerc, who had taken pole for the race on Friday.
      It was all too easy for Verstappen’s rampant Red Bull as he powered past the Ferrari man with ease to move into the lead.

      Perez was next past Leclerc just two-laps later as the Mexican made it a Red Bull 1-2 in an ominous sign with the Dutchman out in front.
      However, his hopes of a win were dashed when the safety car was deployed when Nyck de Vries stopped on track.
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      Red Bull finished 1-2Credit: Getty
      Leclerc claimed the final spot on the podiumCredit: AP
      While Verstappen dived into the pits from the lead, Perez stayed out but was given an advantage when the race was neutralised behind the safety car.
      It meant that Perez was able to make his pitstop and maintain the lead he had taken from his team-mate.
      He then set about trying to keep out of Verstappen’s reach by plotting his way around the Baku circuit.
      He looked comfortable, but for a brush with the wall at Turn 15, and crossed the line two seconds ahead of his title rival.
      It means Verstappen’s lead is cut to just six points in the Drivers’ Championship while Leclerc was third.
      It was another disappointing result for Lewis Hamilton in sixth while his team-mate George Russell was in eighth.
      Meanwhile, Landon Norris came home in ninth place and took two points for his effort.
      Hamilton finished the race in sixthCredit: Splash More

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      Max Verstappen slams George Russell as ‘d***head’ on live TV after overtaking row at Azerbaijan F1 sprint race

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN blasted George Russell and called him a “d***head” after the two clashed in the Baku sprint race.Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez won the race but it was the Dutchman’s first-lap clash with Russell which drew the attention.
      Max Verstappen and George Russell rowed at the end of the Azerbaijan sprint raceCredit: Getty
      The pair collided on the opening lapCredit: https://twitter.com/SkySportsF1/status/1652306084445450242?cxt=HHwWhMCz-aTole4tAAAA

      And he sought out Russell after the 17-lap race and confronted him over their coming together.
      Russell explained he had “no grip”.
      But Verstappen snapped back: “Mate, we all have no grip.
      “We all need to give a little bit of space.
      READ MORE ON F1
      “But expect it next time the same, you know.”
      He then muttered under his breath: “D***head,” with the insult picked up by the microphones.
      Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc got a good launch at the start and started to move clear while Verstappen was unusually sluggish off the line and was drawn into a fight with Russell.
      The two tangled over a handful of corners, with the Dutchman left furious by Russell’s driving as he brushed the walls of the circuit.
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      However, it paid off for the Brit who squeezed past into third place as Verstappen dropped to fourth.
      But it was short-lived as Verstappen moved back ahead of the Mercedes man at the restart following a safety car period when Yuki Tsunoda crashed into a wall.
      While the Japanese driver was not injured, his car was badly damaged with a wheel rolling down the track behind the vehicle.
      Yet his AlphaTauri team sent him out for another lap, but he was unable to keep it in a straight line and subsequently retired from the race.
      Russell told Sky Sports: “I’m here to fight, I’m here to win.
      “I’m not going to hold back because he’s leading the championship.
      “He had a lot more to lose than I had. None of the contact was intentional.
      “I was doing my best to have a clean fight, I was surprised by his resistance.

      “I was surprised he was so angry, he finished P3, he’s got enough experience.”
      Verstappen added: “It’s not clarified. I just don’t understand why you need to take so much risk on lap one.
      “He understeered into my side pod to create a hole. We all have cold tyres. It’s easy to lock up.
      “His beautiful way of explaining, ‘Ah mate, you know, locked up. Ah look at the on-board.’
      “Well, it doesn’t make sense.”
      Russell was not the only big loser at the restart as his team-mate Lewis Hamilton also dropped places.
      Out in front, Leclerc was reeled in by Perez and the Mexican driver made his move into P1 on lap eight.
      He then set about extending his lead as he romped to victory, crossing the line 4.5 seconds ahead of Leclerc.
      Verstappen was third, Russell fourth and Carlos Sainz in fifth, while Fernando Alonso was sixth and ahead of Hamilton while Lance Stroll took the final point in eighth.

      In the Grand Prix tomorrow, Leclerc will start at the front of the grid with Verstappen.
      Perez and Sainz complete the second row with Hamilton and Alonso fifth and sixth – and Tussell back in 11th. More