For some motive, which is difficult to clarify, in System 1 nearly all drivers excel at sure circuits that, on paper, shouldn’t be notably demanding, like Monaco or Spa-Francorchamps. A traditional instance is the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, a observe with a fairly uninteresting structure the place Valtteri Bottas typically outshone a number of champion Lewis Hamilton. In truth, it was at Sochi the place the Finn handed victory to Ferrari’s future driver, obeying a particular workforce order. It’s the identical for Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.
The Azerbaijan avenue circuit is a kind of tracks that drivers both love or hate. Its peculiar structure, with an especially quick third sector and extra technical sections via Baku’s outdated city, is actually one-of-a-kind. For 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 received right here not less than twice. For Charles Leclerc, this observe carries deep emotional significance. His father handed away on June 20, 2017, after a battle with sickness.
The subsequent day, with a damaged coronary heart, the Monegasque driver took a flight to Baku, the place the System 2 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was about to happen. Regardless of being within the battle for the world title, his workforce tried to persuade him to withdraw and never race, however he wouldn’t hear of it. Maurizio Arrivabene, who was Ferrari’s workforce principal on the time, requested Charles Leclerc what he was doing on the aircraft. The Ferrari junior responded that he was going to Baku with them as a result of he needed to fulfill his obligation and win, after which he would return residence 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 observe. Many would have crumbled in his place. For the document, the Monegasque driver received Race 1, setting the quickest lap, and completed second in Race 2. It was a weekend that can undoubtedly be etched in Charles’ reminiscence, as he confronted a number of the hardest days of his life.
Since coming into System 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 typically means little: simply consider Charles Leclerc’s phenomenal pole in 2021, though it was clear the SF21 wouldn’t be capable of battle for victory within the race. It’s a observe that the latest Monza winner loves and with which he shares a pure connection.
Because of this, it might be a chance to proceed the rostrum streak that started at Spa-Francorchamps. On this chaotic season, Ferrari has had fluctuating efficiency, as the driving force himself admitted in an emotional workforce radio after the Italian Grand Prix. Too many ups and downs this season, though the highs have been superb, Charles Leclerc mentioned two weeks in the past, referring to the race victories in Monaco and Monza. Certainly, the races following these two victories for the Maranello workforce 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, though the Italian observe is exclusive. The hope is that the aerodynamic updates launched to the SF-24 throughout the residence race may even show efficient on a very totally different observe like Baku, the “Temple of Pace.” If that’s the case, then Charles Leclerc might be concerned within the battle for victory, because of his wonderful feeling with the Baku Metropolis Circuit the place, for varied causes, he hasn’t been capable of capitalize within the Italian automobiles.
The Italian workforce is aiming for a powerful weekend in Baku. They’ve ready as finest they might, on the lookout for a setup that will optimize the efficiency of the SF-24. The Italian automotive isn’t the favourite and can face powerful competitors from Mercedes, Purple Bull, and particularly McLaren, which is presently the workforce to beat with their distinctive MCL38. Nonetheless, Ferrari has Charles Leclerc, a beneficial asset the Maranello workforce is relying on.
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