The 2 have been clashing for 3 seasons now. Let’s be sincere: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz can now not stand one another. Or relatively, because the automobile started to indicate actual competitiveness within the begin of the 2022 Formulation 1 season, at any time when they’ve been shut on observe, particularly on Carlos Sainz’s half, it have to be stated, there have been behaviors seemingly supposed to bother the opposite. We’ve witnessed this on a number of events, together with this season.
In 2024, with Carlos Sainz leaving the Maranello group even earlier than the debut race, issues have intensified. The Spaniard has centered extra on himself than on the group, which could be justified, however when Charles Leclerc brazenly states that his teammate doesn’t respect agreements, it raises eyebrows.
The Las Vegas race topped Max Verstappen as a four-time Formulation 1 world champion and it was solely a matter of time, so congratulations to him. Mercedes did nicely, with a implausible one-two end, due to George Russell’s glorious driving within the first stint and Lewis Hamilton’s unimaginable comeback, displaying he’s nonetheless hungry, clearly. The McLarens carried out poorly however managed to attenuate the injury, sustaining a 24-point lead over Ferrari within the Constructors’ Championship.
Again to Ferrari: Charles Leclerc accuses Carlos Sainz of not being a group participant. After the second cease, the Monegasque emerged forward of his Maranello teammate however with chilly tires. At that time, his Ferrari race engineer Bryan Bozzi reassured him, saying: “Carlos has been informed to not stress you, so handle the tire warm-up calmly.” Accomplished and dusted? In no way. Carlos Sainz overtook Charles Leclerc, and the Monegasque misplaced his cool: “Perhaps you must inform him in Spanish.” A comment implying that the Spaniard both doesn’t perceive or doesn’t wish to perceive.
Ferrari’s quantity 16 exploded after the race: “I did my job, however being respectful all the time screws me over! It’s not nearly kindness; it’s about respect. I would like to remain quiet, I do know, however the identical factor retains occurring.” Certainly, Caros Sainz, as usually occurs, did not honor pre- or mid-race agreements. For the Monegasque, it is a supply of serious frustration, which he struggles to cover in post-race interviews.
“I attempted to be aggressive, and I don’t remorse it, though the primary stint made me lose numerous time,” Charles Leclerc defined, referring to his battle with George Russell within the early laps. “On onerous tires, we had been among the many quickest, however on mediums, I struggled rather a lot—I had no warning earlier than the entrance tires gave out.”
Then, on the Carlos Sainz challenge: “Relating to Carlos, I choose not to enter element. I’m not happy as a result of some agreed-upon issues weren’t revered. It’s fantastic, although: for the group, nothing modifications within the Constructors’ Championship since we completed third and fourth. For the Drivers’ Championship, I’m a bit disillusioned contemplating the battle with Lando Norris. Now I have to concentrate on myself, making an attempt to do my greatest, particularly in qualifying, and maximize each alternative from right here on.” – he identified.
Carlos Sainz is having fun with his eighth podium of the season. The Spaniard is aware of very nicely that he has his final probabilities to attain important leads to F1 earlier than transferring to Williams, and who is aware of what the longer term holds for his profession. Carlos is already not significantly inclined to group agreements with Leclerc—this may be stated plainly—and since he was not confirmed by Ferrari, he has had much more cause to behave on his personal. That stated, he prefers to not focus on it an excessive amount of with the media.
“I’ve clear agreements with the group and with Charles, and I choose to not gas public controversies,” Carlos Sainz defined. “We’ll focus on internally what occurred while not having clarifications in entrance of the media. I don’t use the radio to complain, nor do I discuss these issues to the press—it’s not my model, and I don’t assume it’s applicable. I imagine it’s extra helpful to handle every part privately, as ought to be accomplished in a group.”
The Spanish driver shared his perspective on the missed pit cease when he reduce throughout the pit lane entry as a result of, apparently, the mechanics weren’t prepared for the cease he had particularly requested a number of laps earlier: “I don’t intend guilty anybody. I wish to analyze and make clear what occurred. I had requested to pit two laps earlier, realizing that Charles was quicker and that I may have helped him, however with Lewis Hamilton behind, the scenario was sophisticated. Moreover, the graining made it troublesome to proceed, which is why I insisted on stopping. Regardless of every part, we stayed out, resulting in confusion on the pit lane entry. My tempo dropped after that. I choose to debate it internally with out fueling public controversies.”
Briefly, this Carlos Sainz podium will likely be adopted by many post-race clarifications. Past all that, Ferrari is gathering lower than hoped for within the combat towards McLaren, and the hole is now 24 factors, with two races and a Dash Race remaining within the championship. Now it’s off to Qatar, the place the MCL38 is anticipated to have the benefit. In all probability, Ferrari’s race administration was not optimum, because it may have achieved extra. Is the championship over? Completely not, however everybody might want to row in the identical path to have a greater probability of profitable. So, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have to get alongside, even when just for present.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
