Sun Sep 15 13:45:00 UTC 2024: ## Leclerc’s Error Costs Ferrari Victory in Thrilling Azerbaijan GP

**Baku, Azerbaijan** – A costly mistake by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc handed victory to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in a dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc, who led the race early on, struggled with tire management after switching to the hard compound, ultimately costing him the win.

“As soon as we put the hard tires on, I knew we couldn’t win,” Leclerc admitted after the race. “We didn’t do any high-fuel running on my side in FP1 and FP2, and we went for a setup direction that was a bit more difficult to manage in the race.”

The setup issue manifested as Leclerc struggled to control the rear tires, even fearing a potential crash. This gave Piastri the chance he needed to capitalize, securing his second career Grand Prix win in a stunning performance.

“McLaren and Oscar have done an exceptional job,” Leclerc conceded. “They did better than us.”

The race was filled with exciting moments, with Sergio Perez battling for a podium spot before a collision with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz sent both drivers into the wall. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, struggled with his Red Bull, finishing a disappointing fifth.

Despite the loss, Leclerc emphasized that the team gained valuable points with Sainz failing to finish. “I think maybe McLaren had less downforce and were very quick on the straights,” he explained. “I couldn’t get as close as I wanted, and eventually we lost the race when I didn’t defend as well as I could have at the end of the straight.”

The victory marks a significant shift in the championship standings, with McLaren now atop the Constructors’ Championship. The second half of the season promises to be even more intense and unpredictable.

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