Charles Leclerc at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Photo: Race Pictures

Leclerc faces mountainous climb for fifth successive P1: 'Don't have huge hope'

13:23, 20 Sep

bySamson Ero

Charles Leclerc has expressed little optimism about his outing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying and the race itself. The Scuderia Ferrari driver also highlighted the mammoth task the Italian outfit would have to surmount to finish on the top step of the podium on Sunday.

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Charles Leclerc at the Scuderia Ferrari pitlane. Photo: Race Pictures.

“I don't have big hope.”

- Charles Leclerc

The Monegasque driver, who could enter a prestigious Formula 1 club if he claims pole this weekend at the Baku Street Circuit, stressed that he has little optimism about his chances of clinching pole and converting it into a race win. Speaking to the media during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Leclerc said:

“I still have this feeling, but mostly based on many years coming here, and most of the time we were not the favourites on paper, and then we ended up having pole, but that doesn't mean we can win on Sunday.”

“Again, pole position is what puts you in the best possible place to start the race, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we will have the race pace. And that's what we've been lacking in the past years. I don't have big hope that this year is going to be significantly different.”

Leclerc: McLaren will be strongest

The eight-time Grand Prix winner also highlighted the teams he considers favourites for race victory. Leclerc pointed to McLaren’s pace while also factoring in the recent improvements Red Bull Racing have made off the back of their outing in Monza.

“I think McLaren is going to be the strongest team alongside Red Bull, because I think that in Monza, they definitely had something that seemed to be working very well.”

“It's not going to be easy. But in places where I think we have a bit more chance and maybe, yeah, it's going to be nice to be here and meet quite a cool distance.”

Leclerc currently holds the record for the most pole positions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – four. The Ferrari driver, who could make it a record-extending five this weekend, has, however, failed to convert any of his previous first-place starts into race victories at the circuit.

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