The Baku weekend posed a significant challenge for Formula 1 teams in terms of finding the ideal setup, and Mercedes’ task was made even more difficult due to a problem with Lewis Hamilton’s car. The return of the Formula 1 sprint format in 2023 added a new dimension to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, making it a unique event in the sport’s history.
One notable change to the format was the elimination of the second practice session on Saturday morning. Instead, teams were left with only one hour of practice on Friday before heading into qualifying, which determined the grid for the main race on Sunday. The sprint race itself became a separate event held on Saturday, featuring shortened qualifying sessions (Q1, Q2, and Q3) with specific rules regarding tire usage to determine the starting order.
