Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 29, 2023 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before the sprint shootout REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan – April 29, 2023 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before the sprint shootout REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
After the continued embarrassment of the first three races, Ferrari are back in business. Charles Leclerc started off the weekend in Azerbaijan in spectacular fashion by securing the pole position for the main race. The Monegasque continued the good run on Saturday when he secured another pole, this time during the sprint shootout. However, losing the position to Sergio Perez during the sprint race brought back some haunting memories. Following the result, he made a hopeful confession that left the Tifosi divided.
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Last year, Leclerc kicked off the season with great promise. He won two races from the first three fixtures, giving fans hope of a much-awaited Ferrari resurgence. However, as the season progressed, the car made little progress while Red Bull stole the show. Despite all the shortcomings, Charles continued to secure pole positions regularly in qualifying. However, lack of proper race pace saw him fall down the pecking order, more often than not on Sundays.
Is the ghost of 2022 back to haunt Charles Leclerc?
Leclerc got off to a great start as the lights went out in Baku for the sprint race yesterday. He led the pack and built some gap from the rest of the field. However, Perez was right on his tail throughout. The Monaco man got a breather when Yuki Tsunoda crashed into the wall causing the deployment of the Safety Car. He led the race for another 3 laps behind the safety car, however, that did not last for long once the Safety Car was in.
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Perez got his chance in Lap 8 and easily overtook the Ferrari ace with DRS assistance. The scenes gave Ferrari fans and Leclerc the flashbacks from last year. Speaking after the sprint with Canal+, Charles said, “I can’t wait until we improve the car in race pace, and win races, not only get poles.”
The comment divided fans who either supported or doubted Ferrari’s ability to deliver. Take a look at some of those reactions.
We have been waiting for around 10 years
— BoltandMittens (@BoltandMittens) April 30, 2023
It's a pity that we'll be sitting ducks during the race when the RB gets into DRS
— Mohamed Khameez (@Meezo786) April 30, 2023
Sometimes this is a really lame sport. The 2nd fastest team on the grid knows they have no shot at winning races
— Dan Smith (@Hietokolab) April 29, 2023
Some fans felt the Monegasque is ready to compete for the race wins.
Today is your day, yours to lose or win.
— TRACY (@NinsiimaTracy) April 30, 2023
charles win tmr pic.twitter.com/Q7DxnNTaWs
— alina✮ (@mercedarri) April 29, 2023
You have to wait until next 10+ years then 😂
— . (@AC15i_) April 29, 2023
Others believed that the latest upgrades are paying off and the run will continue in future.
Pls the last upgrades since Australia has been great keep upgrading like that 👏👏👏
— Y²⁰ (@Blanco_CL16) April 29, 2023
Others were not so hopeful.
Don't see us solving any of these issues till Spa at worst which by that time the title fight is already over. The balance issues is one thing but the tyre wear issues is a huge major pain in the arse
— Tommy Han Min (@chanchaniceman) April 29, 2023
he has so much faith in Ferrari 😭
— lara (@fuzzybvn) April 29, 2023
Watch This Story: Charles Leclerc’s Stern Message to the Fans Breaching His Privacy
I can’t wait more poles and race wins
— Pink Angel Wings (@LeclercFanCL16) April 29, 2023
Do you think Leclerc can hold off the threat from the Red Bull duo during the main race later today? It will certainly take a herculean effort.
Written by
Edited by
Varunkumaar Chelladurai