Arthur Leclerc says “You have to change your driving” on street circuits ahead of Formula 2’s round in Baku this weekend.

The DAMS has never driven at Baku before but has a strong record at street tracks, taking aporia in Australia last time out and second place at Pau in French F4 in 2018.

The Monegasque said: “You have to change your driving. Maybe not your driving style because you want to push as much as in a normal circuit but I will say a different approach. 

“You need to have a different approach in Free Practice and in Qualifying because if you overshoot a little bit you are not in the grass or in the gravel you are in the wall so the outcome is a bit bigger so you need to adapt your approach to each track. 

The circuit in Azerbaijan is home to the infamous Turn 8 next to the castle which is a mere 7.6 metres wide and has caused a multitude of accidents.

Arthur’s brother Charles Leclerc has fallen foul of Turn 8, clattering the outside wall in qualifying in 2019.

The F2 driver said: “In Baku the walls are quite close, there is the castle section. 

“So let’s say I will change my approach, it’s very interesting as well corner by corner because at Turn 1 there is a small runoff but the the castle section it’s very difficult to keep it out of the walls if you make a mistake so you have a different approach.”

Leclerc drive to third pace in the Feature Race in Australia, his first podium in Formula 2.

The Ferrari Academy driver said gave him a lift heading into Azerbaijan and he has been pleased with his pace so far this season.

“We scored the podium so so it’s a confidence boost. Since the beginning of the year we have really good pace in the race. 

“The only time I wasn’t satisfied with my race pace was in Jeddah Race 1 where we didn’t gain positions, it was really tricky to overtake so I’m quite happy because we are doing a good step and in the right way.

“So we will keep pushing in this direction. This podium has been a small boost in confidence but I still need to stay focused on my work and keep pushing.”

Image: Formula Motorsport Limited