After the spectacular victory of Monza, Charles Leclerc arrives in Baku with great expectations. The Monegasque Ferrari driver, protagonist of the latest editions of the Azerbaijan GP, appeared confident, while keeping his feet on the ground. During the meeting with the media on the eve of the Baku weekend, Leclerc shared his thoughts not only on the upcoming race, but also on the missed arrival of Adrian Newey in Ferrari, one of the most discussed news in recent weeks.
Leclerc dreams of victory in Baku
The Baku street circuit has seen Leclerc start from pole position for the last three editions, but unfortunately, his Saturday speed has never been converted into a win on Sunday. “I really hope so,” said Leclerc, referring to the possibility of finally winning at this track. “We have been strong in qualifying here in the past, but on Sunday we have always had problems with tyre management. This year, however, this aspect is one of our strong points.”
The Monegasque also stressed that his goal is to have a more solid Sunday than in previous years. Despite the recent success in Monza, Leclerc explained that he does not expect Ferrari to be at the level of McLaren or Red Bull, but that they are still closer than in previous races. “The goal is to have a better Sunday than in the past,” he reiterated, aware of the difficulties that could arise.
After Monza: Ferrari growing?
After his victory in Monza, Leclerc brought new confidence to the Ferrari team. Strategy and tyre management were key to the success in Italy, and The Monegasque driver hopes that the updates introduced by the team can continue to bear fruit in Baku too. However, Leclerc preferred to remain cautious: “My job is to start from scratch after a weekend like this, because on a track like this, big expectations can be counterproductive.”
The excitement that has surrounded the team since Monza must be balanced with solid preparation and focus. Ferrari has shown signs of improvement in recent races, but the competition is fierce, and Leclerc knows that Baku is a difficult and unpredictable track.
Adrian Newey's failure to arrive: no regrets for Leclerc
One of the hottest topics in recent days has been Adrian Newey's arrival at Aston Martin. The brilliant English designer had been courted by Ferrari, but ultimately chose to join Lawrence Stroll's team. Leclerc, however, did not appear disappointed by the outcome of the negotiations, showing confidence in the Ferrari working group.
“I'm not disappointed, I would have been if we hadn't tried,” said Leclerc. “We talked to Adrian as a team, but in the end he made his choice and I completely respect that. At Ferrari we have always believed that the group is better than the individual. Adrian Newey is incredible, but we have some great individuals at Ferrari and I believe much more in the group.”
On the eve of the stage in Baku, Leclerc wanted to underline the importance of the collective rather than a single element, while recognizing the indisputable talent of Newey. Ferrari, according to the Monegasque, has all the resources to return to the top without depending on the arrival of external figures.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
