Last Updated on September 16 2024, 3:46 pm
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second in the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, yet again narrowly missing out on the top spot, this time against McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who secured his second win of the season. Despite starting from pole position, Leclerc struggled to maintain the lead, ultimately conceding to Piastri in a race that underscored the performance gap between the two teams.
Speaking candidly after the race, Leclerc identified two key factors that prevented him from claiming victory on the streets of Baku, ultimately losing the race yet again from a strong pole position starting slot.
Piastri’s daring pass key to Baku win
Oscar Piastri’s daring pass of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was the key to his victory at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. McLaren Formula One boss Andrea Stella revealed that he initially feared the move would backfire, but Piastri’s talent and precision shone through, surprising even his own team with the success of the risky pass.
The move came at the start of lap 20, when Piastri dove inside Leclerc at Turn 1, took the lead and held it for the remainder of the race. The Australian then skilfully defended the Ferrari for the remainder of the Grand Prix, showing remarkable composure and tactical awareness.
Stella feared the move would fail
Reflecting on the decisive moment, Stella admitted that he thought Piastri’s move on Leclerc would fail.
“When I saw it live and I saw him go, my instinct was that it’s going to go wrong,” he said. Stella noted that Piastri’s braking point seemed late, especially compared to Leclerc’s, which led him to expect an error in judgement.
However, Piastri’s ability to brake late and still take the corner with precision was the key to the move’s success. Stella praised the rider’s execution: “If you look at where Oscar is coming from, where he’s attacking Leclerc, in the first corner, that’s from quite a long way [away], and yet he negotiates the apex… I think it’s one of those cases where you have to point out the driver’s ability.”
Verstappen explains why Perez was better than him
Demonstration of talent and precision
The overtaking manoeuvre on Leclerc was not only a testament to Piastri’s aggressive racing style, but also to his precision under pressure. Stella was quick to highlight the Australian’s remarkable control in delaying his braking without compromising on accuracy: “The talent, the precision in execution from Oscar’s point of view, just made the difference,” said Stella.
He emphasised that Piastri did not rely on Leclerc to give him space, but created his opportunity through superior control. Stella admitted his surprise at Piastri’s ability to pull off such a move under pressure, showing not only his driving skills but also his mental strength: “He drove like a rider with a lot of experience, who has been under this kind of pressure before.”
A calm and controlled drive
Throughout the race, Piastri maintained his composure, even on the radio, which further impressed Stella and the team. The McLaren boss praised the young driver for his calm and controlled manner, particularly in the high-stakes environment of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“Even when he was talking on the radio, he seemed very much in control,” said Stella. “A phenomenal driver, a brilliant ride today.”
Piastri’s control extended beyond overtaking. On several occasions he successfully defended against Leclerc in Turn 1, and managed to exit with enough speed to block the Ferrari driver into Turn 2. On each occasion, Piastri showed the precise judgement that allowed him to maintain his lead throughout the race.
McLaren car characteristics play a role
While Piastri’s skill was the dominant factor in his victory, Stella acknowledged that McLaren’s car also played a small part in helping him overtake.
“I think it’s a combination, 90% is Oscar, I think, his judgement,” said Stella. However, the car’s good traction, especially in slower corners like Turn 1, helped Piastri make the most of his opportunities.
Stella explained that Piastri’s first defensive move against Leclerc was the most difficult, as it required precise judgement without prior reference points. Once Piastri had made the first pass, he was able to repeat his success, taking advantage of the car’s strong rear end at speeds of 100km/h or more.
Norris claims he helped Piastri win
McLaren’s traction advantage
Stella pointed out that McLaren’s strength in traction gave Piastri an advantage, especially on the exit of corners. The MCL38’s rear end performed well under acceleration in the slower sections of the circuit, giving Piastri just enough speed to stay ahead of Leclerc.
“I think where the 10% of the car that comes to us came to Oscar’s advantage is that the car has good traction,” explained Stella.
“We know that our rear end is good, especially when we are around 100 km/h or more, which is where you are in the first corner.”
However, Stella was quick to point out that much of the credit must go to Piastri’s precision and decision-making.
“That’s definitely something that Oscar took advantage of, but it wouldn’t work without that precision from a riding point of view,” he said.
A Strong Start but Missed Opportunities
From the Ferrari side, Leclerc began the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in commanding fashion, starting from pole and maintaining control during the early laps. Ferrari’s strong one-lap pace helped the Monegasque driver stay ahead of the pack, but the situation changed dramatically following the first round of pit stops. It was here that Piastri seized his opportunity, overtaking Leclerc at the first corner to take the lead.
From that moment on, Leclerc was locked in a battle to reclaim his position. Despite several attempts, the Ferrari driver could not get past Piastri, who defended skilfully and utilised McLaren’s superior straight-line speed. Leclerc’s Ferrari, while competitive, was hindered by the SF-24’s top speed compared to the McLaren MCL38, which had a distinct advantage down the straights.
Red Bull’s new bendy wing to restore the advantage
Tyre Management: The First Factor
Reflecting on his performance after the race, Leclerc acknowledged that the first factor contributing to his loss was related to tyre management. Ferrari’s strategy on the exit lap, which aimed to preserve tyre life for the long race ahead, proved less effective than anticipated.
“We lost out on victory for two reasons today,” Leclerc admitted.
“The first was tyre management on our exit lap. We thought it would take a long time for everyone to warm up their tyres, which was the case for our car, but not at all for McLaren. They brought their tyres up to temperature immediately and gained a lot of time.”
Ferrari’s approach, though usually a sound strategy in terms of tyre preservation, failed to account for McLaren’s ability to switch on their tyres more rapidly. This difference in tyre performance was particularly costly in the crucial moments when Leclerc lost the lead, and Piastri managed to build a gap.
Horner makes strange claim about Perez
Lack of Aggression in Defence: The Second Factor
The second reason Leclerc identified for missing out on the win was his decision not to fight Piastri harder when the Australian made his move. Leclerc revealed that he was focused on conserving his tyres for the remainder of the race, believing he would have another opportunity to overtake later on.
This strategic choice, however, played into McLaren’s hands, as their higher top speed on the straights meant Leclerc struggled to get close enough for another overtaking attempt.
“The second reason was that I didn’t fight harder against Oscar when he overtook me,” Leclerc explained.
“I knew we had a long race ahead of us, and my aim was to take care of my tyres, stay in the DRS zone, and pass him later on the line.”
Leclerc’s decision not to engage more aggressively with Piastri at the time of the overtake was a calculated gamble. The Ferrari driver anticipated that staying within the DRS range would give him a better chance later in the race, but he underestimated the pace of the McLaren.
“We underestimated their speed on the straights today,” Leclerc continued. “They were using a lower downforce package than us, which made them too quick to try and overtake.”
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
While Leclerc expressed disappointment with the result, he remained optimistic about the rest of the season, confident that Ferrari would learn from the experience and come back stronger at the next round in Singapore. The street circuit of Marina Bay presents a different challenge, and Leclerc hopes that Ferrari’s strengths will shine through.
“Overall, it wasn’t the best day for our team, but we now head to Singapore and we’ll be back stronger,” the Monegasque added.
With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix behind him, Leclerc now turns his attention to the remaining races. He remains third in the drivers’ standings, just 19 points behind second-placed Lando Norris. The fight for the championship is still alive, but the battle with McLaren is proving to be intense.
A Season of Intense Competition
Leclerc’s reflections on his Azerbaijan performance highlight the increasing competitiveness of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull continue to battle at the front, with little separating the drivers at the top of the standings. McLaren, in particular, has made significant gains, with Piastri’s win in Baku signalling that the team is a serious contender for both race victories and podiums.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how Ferrari responds to McLaren’s resurgence. Leclerc’s analysis of his Azerbaijan Grand Prix performance suggests that Ferrari will need to make adjustments, particularly in terms of strategy and aero setup, to close the gap. But with Leclerc’s determination and Ferrari’s resources, they remain a force to be reckoned with as the championship race heats up.
The next round in Singapore will be crucial as Ferrari aims to bounce back, and Leclerc looks to close the gap in the drivers’ standings. One thing is certain: the battle at the top of Formula 1 is far from over.
READ MORE: Horner rounds on McLaren’s “confusion”
MORE F1 NEWS: Ricciardo midseason sacking
Daniel Ricciardo’s Racing Bulls future in doubt: Could Singapore be the end as speculation mounts over the Australian’s F1 career while Red Bull changes it’s long-term strategy – Daniel Ricciardo, one of the most recognisable names in Formula One, could be facing the end of his career in the sport, with rumours swirling that the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix could be his last. With 256 races under his belt, the 257th could be the final chapter in a celebrated, albeit turbulent, career.
Recent reports from respected F1 journalist Adam Cooper suggest that the Racing Bulls team, an integral part of the Red Bull family, are “exploring all options” regarding Ricciardo’s future, with a decision possibly being made after the Singapore race. If the signs are anything to go by, Ricciardo’s place on the grid is under serious threat and the Singapore race could be a defining moment for his future with…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
