P1racenews AI automatic summary:
In Friday’s Azerbaijan GP practice, there were just a couple of tenths between the top four F1 cars. That would’ve been the case in qualifying too, had Charles Leclerc not schooled his rivals. Mark Hughes explains how Leclerc’s technique gave him such an edge
On Friday in Baku, the cars of Formula 1’s top four teams were very closely matched, with just tenths of a second between them. Even after excluding Charles Leclerc, this tight competition continued in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Leclerc’s exceptional skills in braking and navigating slow corners allowed him to secure pole position ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren by over 0.3 seconds. His mastery of the track impressed his teammate Carlos Sainz, who acknowledged the Ferrari’s performance advantage. Leclerc’s ability to find time in the crucial phase between throttle and braking has been a key factor in his success on challenging circuits like Baku. Despite the Ferrari’s outstanding mechanical traits, Sainz was still half a second adrift in qualifying, highlighting the fine margins in performance among the top teams. Leclerc’s seamless adaptation to Baku’s demands and his natural affinity for the circuit contributed to his impressive pole position streak.
