Expert prediction
F1 Picks: Azerbaijan Sprint Race Picks, Preview, and Odds (Apr 29)
- First Sprint Race of the 2023 F1 season takes place in Azerbaijan
- Sprint Races will be competed over half distance, with no pit stops required
An exciting weekend of racing action lays in wait this weekend, as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes center stage on Sunday. However, before that, fans will be able to enjoy the first Sprint Race of the season. There will be a new-look format to the weekend, with qualifying for the Grand Prix taking place on Friday, before qualifying for the Sprint will be staged on Saturday morning.
Schedule and How To Watch
- When: Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. ET
- Where: Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan
- How To Watch: ESPN
Azerbaijan Sprint Race Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | |
| Sergio Perez | |
| Fernando Alonso | |
| Lewis Hamilton | |
| Charles Leclerc | |
| George Russell | |
| Carlos Sainz | |
| Lance Stroll |
Event Preview
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will stage the first Sprint Race of the season this weekend. The condensed races have been a massive hit with fans across the world, as it offers another avenue for points for the drivers on the grid. This season, there will be six in total on the calendar.
READ MORE: F1 Picks: Azerbaijan Grand Prix Predictions, Preview, and Odds (Apr 30)
However, the format has slightly changed this season, with the Saturday in Baku being a standalone day of action for the Sprint. Shootout qualifying will take place earlier in the day to set the grid, with teams running three shorter times for each session, and there will be a mandatory tyre compound that must be used.
This season, the top eight will earn points in the Sprint, and it will not set the grid for the Grand Prix. Max Verstappen enjoyed success in the Sprints last season, and that dominance will be expected to continue in Baku this weekend. However, teammate and street specialist Sergio Perez could be his biggest danger in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.
It appears hard to see where the biggest threat will come from in the Sprint Race. Mercedes struggled in the shorter races last season, as their pace is better suited to Grand Prix distance.
Ferrari has endured no end of issues throughout the season, but Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz could both be better suited to this shorter distance. Aston Martin also has a very pacey car this year, meaning that Fernando Alonso could have an excellent chance of a podium finish.
Azerbaijan Sprint Race Picks
We expect the Red Bull dominance to continue this weekend, and that will begin with victory in the Sprint Race. Therefore, we will be siding with Max Verstappen to claim victory on Saturday.
Free Pick:
Formula 1
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