Charles Leclerc is finally showing what he is capable of after a slow start to the 2023 F1 season. On Friday, he earned pole position for the Azerbaijan GP, which marked his third consecutive P1 in qualifying in Baku. Leclerc followed it up with another pole position at the first-ever sprint shootout on Saturday.
However, Leclerc’s crash in the dying moments of SQ3 didn’t help his teammate Carlos Sainz. Sainz has been struggling with the car throughout the weekend, and he couldn’t put up a time on board because of his teammate’s crash during his final run. At least, that is what it seemed like.
After his disappointing P5 in the sprint shootout, Sainz admitted that he wasn’t really improving on the time before Leclerc hit the wall. As a result, he probably wouldn’t have improved on his time anyway. As he did on Friday, the Spaniard once again stated that he wasn’t feeling comfortable with the car.
Carlos Sainz looking to minimize damage ahead of the F1 Sprint
Speaking to Sky Sports after the sprint shootout, Sainz acknowledged that nothing has worked out for him so far this weekend. His feeling about the car overall was the same as Friday, and ahead of the sprint and race, he will only be looking to minimize damage.
“Nothing new today,” the Madrid-born driver said. “I’m just struggling with the car, with the feeling. Clearly lacking this weekend. It’s a damage limitation weekend for me.”
Sainz will start the sprint shootout from P5 and will be hoping for no major incidents that could potentially damage his race or his car. For the main race on Sunday, Sainz starts from P4, behind both Red Bull drivers.
Azerbaijan GP turns out to be redemption for Charles Leclerc
Leclerc and Ferrari fans were ecstatic when the Monegasque driver crossed the line to earn his first pole position on Friday. For the first time this season, the SF-23 looked strong, and it made the Tifosi excited about their chances on Saturday and Sunday.
Leclerc so far, has had a season to forget, scoring just six points in the opening three rounds. However, the Azerbaijan GP weekend is turning out to be a redemption weekend of sorts for the 25-year-old.
Leclerc followed up his brilliant pole position on Friday with another pole position in the sprint shootout, ahead of the first F1 sprint of the season. Ferrari will be aiming to maximize their performance in the races to come, to leave Baku with a strong points haul that will put them right back in the mix for championship glory.
