Formula 1 kicked off its new Sprint race format at the Azerbaijan GP with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc taking the pole position in the Sprint Shootout. But the prize for the shootout tipped off a few fans as they dubbed the prize a ‘last-minute’ decision by the authorities.
Usually, after a driver takes the pole position in qualifying, the drivers are given a Pirelli tire to sign as a trophy. However, in the kick-off event this weekend, F1 decided to give Leclerc a Pirelli cap. Even though F1 clarified the reason behind gifting the cap, fans pointed out that the Monegasque was not so pleased by it.
he wasn’t a big fan of his sprint race cap (the way they were making fun of him 😭😭) pic.twitter.com/J4cIPiaQSH
— clara (@leclercsletters) April 29, 2023
Fans describe Charles Leclerc’s prize as an ‘awful thing’
Fans came up with multiple reactions and some even explained the reason behind F1’s ‘awful prize selection’. One user pointed out that it is possible that the F1 forgot to decide on a prize for the new format and just went with the first thing available.
they defo heard a week prior that they’re gonna be the first ones to hold a sprint shootout and went oh shit someone bring a prize with them on saturday pic.twitter.com/EhyVaQ6Zq6
— lily🫧 (@riccivrdo) April 29, 2023
Another fan pointed out that Lewis Hamilton deliberately refused to win the pole position to avoid the prize.
lewis refused to get pole so he wouldn’t have to touch that awful thing https://t.co/NmqVn9x6Ri
— bi ☀️ (@biazzarro) April 29, 2023
when your mom gets you a gift you don’t like but you’re forced to use it pic.twitter.com/jXOH3qKV1u
— clara (@leclercsletters) April 29, 2023
Leclerc is hopeful about beating Red Bull
After a long wait, Leclerc finally climbed the top ladder in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, claiming back-to-back pole positions during the weekend. Going ahead, he wants to continue with his current form and take over the Red Bull.
Despite crashing in the narrow lanes of the Baku Circuit in the final phase of the Sprint qualifying, Leclerc revealed that he loves to be challenged by driving in the narrow lanes. Speaking after the qualifying, the 25-year-old Ferrari star revealed “I like the challenge of being in between walls without the possibility to overstep it. It’s good to be quick here in Qualy but I’ve never won so this is our main priority now.”
He also explained that the team needs to work on their race pace even though they have done some positive work after Australia. He is aware of Red Bull’s DRS power and hopes to overpower his rival in the second sector of the track.
