Charles Leclerc slams Ferrari into wall as

Charles Leclerc slams Ferrari into wall as Azerbaijan Grand Prix…read more

Charles Leclerc’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend got off to a disastrous start when he crashed heavily during the first practice session (FP1) on the streets of Baku. The incident occurred just 27 minutes into the session, forcing a red flag as Leclerc’s Ferrari suffered significant damage.

The Baku City Circuit, notorious for its high-speed straights and tight corners, lived up to its reputation for producing dramatic moments. Earlier in the session, a red flag had already been waved after debris from Franco Colapinto’s Williams car littered the track. Only 13 minutes after the session resumed, Leclerc’s crash brought out the second red flag of FP1.

Leclerc, widely regarded as one of Ferrari’s standout drivers, was carrying too much speed into the tricky braking zone at Turn 15, a tight left-hander that has caught out many drivers in the past. As he approached the corner, it was evident that he had misjudged his entry, failing to slow down adequately. His Ferrari plowed straight into the barriers, with the front of the car taking the brunt of the impact.

The session was immediately halted as the marshals and recovery vehicles were dispatched to collect the stricken Ferrari. Leclerc, however, was unharmed and quickly hopped out of his car, leaving his team with the challenge of assessing the damage and making necessary repairs ahead of the next session.

Offering his perspective during Sky Sports F1’s broadcast, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve analyzed the incident, saying, “He missed the kerb on the inside. He just arrived with too much speed, and when some drivers go too quick, they go to the run-off. He didn’t make that call.”

Villeneuve’s comments highlighted the critical nature of decision-making on the Baku circuit. The corner where Leclerc crashed requires precision, and in this case, the Monegasque driver’s miscalculation proved costly. Instead of taking the safer option and using the run-off area to avoid a collision, Leclerc attempted to make the corner at a speed that was too high, leading to a “panic lock-up” as he applied the brakes too late.

Karun Chandhok, another prominent F1 commentator, also weighed in on the crash. “It’s like he just missed the apex,” Chandhok noted. “He took way too much speed. It was a panic lock-up. If you’re going to crash at some point in the weekend, let it be FP1 when you have time to dial yourself in.”

Chandhok’s point about the timing of the crash provided some consolation to Leclerc and the Ferrari team. With the crash happening in FP1, there was still time for the team to repair the car and for Leclerc to recover his confidence before the crucial qualifying session and race. Practice sessions are often seen as opportunities for drivers to push the limits and find the boundaries of the track, and incidents like this one, though damaging, can be useful learning experiences.

Despite the crash, Ferrari remained hopeful that Leclerc could bounce back. The team would now focus on repairing the damage and analyzing the data from the session to better prepare for the remaining practices and qualifying. For Leclerc, the challenge would be to put the crash behind him and refocus on the task at hand.

Leclerc’s crash added to what had already been a chaotic start to the weekend in Baku. The Baku City Circuit, known for producing high-speed crashes and red-flagged sessions, once again proved unforgiving. The long straights and sharp corners of the street circuit leave little room for error, and drivers are often forced to walk a fine line between pushing their cars to the limit and staying in control.

As FP1 came to a close, it was clear that teams and drivers would need to remain cautious throughout the rest of the weekend. The Baku City Circuit is notorious for producing unexpected results, and with the potential for more incidents, teams like Ferrari will be keen to avoid further setbacks as they look to maximize their performance in the upcoming sessions.

Leclerc’s crash may have been a setback, but with plenty of time left in the weekend, Ferrari fans will be hoping that their star driver can recover and still mount a challenge for a strong result at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.