Sun Sep 15 10:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Leclerc Takes Pole in Baku as Pirelli Predicts One-Stop Strategy
**Baku, Azerbaijan** – Charles Leclerc has secured his fourth consecutive pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, demonstrating his dominance at the challenging street circuit. The Ferrari driver lapped in a blistering 1’41″365, leaving him over three tenths ahead of second-placed Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and a further 44 hundredths ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz.
While Leclerc’s dominance was evident, Pirelli expects the race to be a different story, with a one-stop strategy anticipated as the most efficient approach. The Italian tyre manufacturer suggests starting on the medium compound and switching to the hard compound later in the race. This strategy offers flexibility and a wide pit-stop window, providing drivers with multiple options.
However, despite the predicted one-stop race, many drivers have opted to save two sets of hard tyres, suggesting a possible two-stop strategy. This could be a gamble for a safety car or virtual safety car deployment, which could turn the race on its head.
Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola commented, “On paper, the one-stop is definitely the quickest option at this track… A two-stop only becomes credible if there is a Safety Car in the second half of the race and that’s probably why many drivers have held back two sets of C3 for tomorrow afternoon.”
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling contest, with the possibility of a safety car adding an unpredictable element to the race. With Leclerc on pole and the potential for strategic battles, the race is set to be an exciting one.
First Piper 