Fri Sep 13 19:35:56 UTC 2024: ## Leclerc Rebounds to Top Baku Practice Despite Early Crash
Baku, Azerbaijan – Charles Leclerc of Ferrari claimed the top spot in the second practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite a tumultuous Friday that included a crash in the first session and a steering issue in the second.
Leclerc’s morning began with a significant crash at turn 15, damaging his front wing and ending his FP1 early. The Monegasque driver later revealed a steering problem hampered his FP2 before being rectified, allowing him to complete 20 laps and ultimately set the fastest time.
Despite the setbacks, Leclerc remained confident in Ferrari’s performance: “I still had a lot of confidence in the car,” he said, attributing the crash to a locking brake issue and a steering issue that was not related to the accident. He admitted that the limited laps were a setback but insisted that he and the team have room for improvement before qualifying.
Leclerc’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, expressed similar optimism, stating that Ferrari is in the mix alongside Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes but acknowledged that consistency and clean execution will be crucial for success on the challenging Baku circuit.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be another test for Ferrari as they aim to close the gap to Red Bull, who are currently leading the Constructors’ Championship. With Leclerc’s strong performance in FP2, the Scuderia will be looking to maintain their momentum and challenge for pole position on Saturday.
First Piper 