Perez jokes about entertainment value of the sprint format

Sergio Perez managed to beat Max Verstappen in the sprint shootout and suggests he could've even gone on to get pole position had he had a cleaner lap in SQ3. The Mexican will start in second place alongside Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc who crashed on his final lap. Formula 1 are trying a new format for this race weekend, and he concluded the interview with a joke about the entertainment value.

During Friday's qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, it was Verstappen who led the way for Red Bull. However, a small mistake in sector two by the Dutchman cost him enough time to prevent the same front row. Perez suggests he could've even gone on to beat Leclerc.

"Track very different, just getting a step on the soft was really challenging, it was a tricky session in the end. Just having more of a clean run on my lap would've probably allowed me to get pole with Charles hitting the wall. They are just a bit stronger than us over one lap. Hopefully, this afternoon, we can close the gap and beat them on race pace. It will be the target [to win] this afternoon and for tomorrow," Perez explained in an interview on Sky Sports.

Sprint weekend

The Formula 1 teams and drivers just completed the first-ever Sprint Shootout. This determines the grid for the sprint race later on Saturday afternoon. With only one practice session, drivers have needed to get up to speed quicker than usual. Perez didn't say whether or not he enjoyed the new format, but joked about taking the entertainment factor to a whole new level.

"It was fast and furious, won't be long before they put a ring in the middle of the track and put the drivers in for a fight," Perez joked.