Sergio Perez has warned F1’s budget cap will prevent drivers from taking ‘silly risks’ during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix sprint. A revision has been made to the alternative format that has seen the sprint separated from the grand prix by virtue of a second qualifying session that will take the place of what was second practice on Saturday. The move has been made with the hope excitement will be increased as drivers will, in theory, risk less with the 100km sprint no longer setting the grid for the main event, with Friday’s qualifying now determining the polesitter. But with the overhanging cloud of the budget cap constraints and the effect any incident could have on future developments, Mexican Perez has suggested the sport will miss out on the desired effects of the tweaks. Asked if he would be happy to throw caution to the wind, Perez – who qualified third for the main event – told media, including RacingNews365.com : “I think it’s a balance. “The budget cap… none of us want to damage our cars because that can be very penalising on bringing future upgrades and it can have an impact on your future races. “So, I think it’s not like everyone is going to be taking silly risks for a few points. At the end of the day, it’s important to be able to bring the car home and have a good Sunday. So I think it’s not going to change that much.” Two Bulls in the top three 🙌 That’ll do for starters 😄 pic.twitter.com/BOsVpqmTXb — Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 28, 2023
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