Charles Leclerc’s pole position dominance at the Baku City Circuit continues to be his Achilles heel, as the Ferrari star failed to convert pole into victory for the fourth consecutive year at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The race saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri outclass Leclerc, securing his second career Formula 1 win after a thrilling battle that showcased McLaren’s strategic superiority.
Despite leading from the start and maintaining control during the first stint on the Medium tyres, Leclerc’s advantage slipped away after the crucial pit stops. Both he and Piastri switched to Hard tyres, but Ferrari’s poor in-lap and out-lap performance ultimately allowed Piastri to close the gap and overtake the Monegasque on Lap 20.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur pointed to this key moment, stating: “Leclerc had bad in and out laps, which significantly reduced the gap to Piastri after the stops, making it easier for McLaren to chase us down.”
Leclerc’s Frustration: Strategic Errors and Poor Tyre Performance
Speaking to the media post-race, Leclerc didn’t hold back, identifying two key reasons for Ferrari’s defeat in Baku. “Today, we lost the race due to two misjudgments,” he said. “First, I should’ve fought harder with Oscar [Piastri]. That was a mistake.
“We also underestimated the undercut’s effectiveness. The warm-up of the Hard tyre was much worse than we expected. We need to analyze how a six-second gap shrunk to just 1.5 seconds. That’s a lot of time lost.”
Leclerc admitted to struggling with tyre performance, particularly on the Hards. “On the Medium tyres, we were competitive, but after switching to Hards, it became much more difficult. Towards the end, I genuinely thought I might end up in the wall,” he remarked, highlighting just how much Ferrari faltered in tyre management.
Piastri and McLaren Outshine Ferrari
After taking the lead on Lap 20, Piastri demonstrated impressive defensive skills, holding off Leclerc in what became a tense battle for victory. Leclerc praised McLaren’s strategy and Piastri’s driving, acknowledging that the better combination won the day.
“McLaren and Oscar have done an exceptional job, better than us. It’s a huge shame for Carlos [Sainz] on the final laps, but McLaren were quicker on the straights. I couldn’t get as close as I wanted,” Leclerc reflected.
As the race neared its conclusion, Leclerc came under pressure not just from Piastri but also from Sergio Perez and his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. A failed overtaking attempt by Perez on Leclerc opened the door for Sainz, who capitalized on the opportunity. However, the two collided on the penultimate lap, leading to a dramatic crash that forced the race to finish under virtual safety car conditions.
A Tough Lesson for Leclerc and Ferrari
Leclerc concluded by admitting his own role in the defeat: “I lost the race when I didn’t defend as well as I should have at the end of the straight. Sometimes you make mistakes, and I’ll learn from it.”
With McLaren’s win pushing them to the top of the constructors’ standings, Ferrari is left to reflect on missed opportunities. Despite Leclerc’s podium finish, the Italian team’s continued struggles in strategy and tyre management remain a significant hurdle as they aim to close the gap on their rivals for the remainder of the season.
