For some cause, which is difficult to elucidate, in Components 1 virtually all drivers excel at sure circuits that, on paper, shouldn’t be notably demanding, like Monaco or Spa-Francorchamps. A basic instance is the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, a monitor with a moderately uninteresting structure the place Valtteri Bottas usually outshone a number of champion Lewis Hamilton. Actually, it was at Sochi the place the Finn handed victory to Ferrari’s future driver, obeying a selected crew order. It’s the identical for Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.
The Azerbaijan avenue circuit is a type of tracks that drivers both love or hate. Its peculiar structure, with a particularly quick third sector and extra technical sections via Baku’s previous city, is basically one-of-a-kind. As an example, Sergio Perez is without doubt one of the finest performers at this circuit, having secured 5 podiums and being the one driver to have gained right here at the least twice. For Charles Leclerc, this monitor carries deep emotional significance. His father handed away on June 20, 2017, after a battle with sickness.
The following day, with a damaged coronary heart, the Monegasque driver took a flight to Baku, the place the Components 2 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was about to happen. Regardless of being within the battle for the world title, his crew tried to persuade him to withdraw and never race, however he wouldn’t hear of it. Maurizio Arrivabene, who was Ferrari’s crew principal on the time, requested Charles Leclerc what he was doing on the airplane. The Ferrari junior responded that he was going to Baku with them as a result of he needed to fulfill his responsibility and win, after which he would return dwelling to bury his father.
Later, Massimo Rivola, former head of the Ferrari Driver Academy and now CEO of Aprilia Racing, recalled that second, explaining that on the eve of Baku, Charles noticed his father Hervé die, however he took the primary flight and made it to the monitor. Many would have crumbled in his place. For the file, the Monegasque driver gained Race 1, setting the quickest lap, and completed second in Race 2. It was a weekend that may undoubtedly be etched in Charles’ reminiscence, as he confronted among the hardest days of his life.
Since getting into Components 1, Baku has given Charles Leclerc extra disappointments than joys. Within the nation by the Caspian Sea, he scored his first factors end in 2018 and secured a number of pole positions. Nonetheless, ranging from pole right here usually means little: simply consider Charles Leclerc’s phenomenal pole in 2021, regardless that it was clear the SF21 wouldn’t be capable of battle for victory within the race. It’s a monitor that the latest Monza winner loves and with which he shares a pure connection.
Because of this, it may very well be a possibility to proceed the rostrum streak that started at Spa-Francorchamps. On this chaotic season, Ferrari has had fluctuating efficiency, as the motive force himself admitted in an emotional crew radio after the Italian Grand Prix. Too many ups and downs this season, though the highs have been superb, Charles Leclerc stated two weeks in the past, referring to the race victories in Monaco and Monza. Certainly, the races following these two victories for the Maranello crew have been fairly disappointing.
The first purpose for Ferrari’s mission within the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is to construct on the potential proven at Monza, regardless that the Italian monitor is exclusive. The hope is that the aerodynamic updates launched to the SF-24 throughout the dwelling race will even show efficient on a very totally different monitor like Baku, the “Temple of Pace.” If that’s the case, then Charles Leclerc may very well be concerned within the battle for victory, because of his glorious feeling with the Baku Metropolis Circuit the place, for numerous causes, he hasn’t been capable of capitalize within the Italian automobiles.
The Italian crew is aiming for a powerful weekend in Baku. They’ve ready as finest they may, on the lookout for a setup that will optimize the efficiency of the SF-24. The Italian automobile isn’t the favourite and can face robust competitors from Mercedes, Purple Bull, and particularly McLaren, which is at present the crew to beat with their distinctive MCL38. Nonetheless, Ferrari has Charles Leclerc, a priceless asset the Maranello crew is relying on.
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