Leclerc Reveals Ferrari Car Changes Before Qualifying Crash

Charles Leclerc made significant changes to his Ferrari before qualifying, which he says improved his feel for the car, but he still crashed during his pole bid in Baku. Despite feeling more positive about the car's balance, Leclerc struggled with tire activation, ultimately leading to a mistake that ended his qualifying session.

Why it matters:

Leclerc was aiming for a historic fifth consecutive pole at the same event in Baku, a feat that would have cemented his reputation as a qualifying master on this street circuit. His crash not only denied him this potential milestone but also highlighted Ferrari's ongoing struggles with car consistency and tire management, issues that have plagued their season and impacted their ability to challenge for wins.

The Details:

• Leclerc reported feeling "much more positive" with his car after extensive overnight changes, suggesting a shift in setup philosophy or components.
• He was seeking to become only the fourth driver in F1 history to take five consecutive poles at the same event.
• During his pole lap attempt, he crashed at Turn 15, bringing out a red flag and ending his session prematurely.
• Tire Struggle: Leclerc identified the C5 Medium compound tires as a major challenge, stating they were "impossible for me to switch on" given the day's temperatures.
  • He noted a significant pace deficit of "seven or eight tenths" on the medium tires before his error, despite pushing aggressively.
• Frustration: Leclerc expressed frustration, calling it "the complete opposite" of his usual experience at Baku, a track he typically enjoys and where he finds a natural flow.

Between the lines:

Leclerc's comments suggest Ferrari is still searching for optimal car balance and tire performance, even with a driver who historically excels in qualifying. The 'changes' he refers to indicate a proactive attempt to resolve underlying issues, but the outcome demonstrates that those solutions are not yet fully effective. The significant pace difference he cited on different tire compounds points to a narrow operating window for the SF-24, making it difficult for drivers to consistently extract maximum performance.

What's next:

Ferrari will need to thoroughly investigate the tire activation issues and the overall car setup to prevent similar incidents and improve race pace. The team's ability to quickly adapt and refine their package will be crucial as the season progresses, especially if they hope to convert their intermittent flashes of speed into consistent podium finishes and wins.