The 2 have been clashing for 3 seasons now. Let’s be trustworthy: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz can not stand one another. Or fairly, because the automotive 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 harass the opposite. We’ve got 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 is likely to be justified, however when Charles Leclerc overtly 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 properly, with a improbable one-two end, due to George Russell’s glorious driving within the first stint and Lewis Hamilton’s unbelievable 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 instructed to not strain you, so handle the tire warm-up calmly.” Achieved and dusted? By no means. 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 at all times screws me over! It’s not nearly kindness; it’s about respect. I want to remain quiet, I do know, however the identical factor retains taking place.” Certainly, Caros Sainz, as usually occurs, didn’t honor pre- or mid-race agreements. For the Monegasque, it is a supply of great frustration, which he struggles to cover in post-race interviews.
“I attempted to be aggressive, and I don’t remorse it, despite the fact that the primary stint made me lose a variety of time,” Charles Leclerc defined, referring to his battle with George Russell within the early laps. “On exhausting tires, we have been among the many quickest, however on mediums, I struggled lots—I had no warning earlier than the entrance tires gave out.”
Then, on the Carlos Sainz challenge: “Concerning Carlos, I choose not to enter element. I’m not happy as a result of some agreed-upon issues weren’t revered. It’s superb, although: for the group, nothing adjustments 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 must give attention to myself, attempting to do my finest, 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 properly that he has his final possibilities to realize vital ends in F1 earlier than shifting to Williams, and who is aware of what the long run holds for his profession. Carlos is already not notably inclined to group agreements with Leclerc—this may be stated plainly—and since he was not confirmed by Ferrari, he has had much more motive 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 with no need clarifications in entrance of the media. I don’t use the radio to complain, nor do I speak about these issues to the press—it’s not my model, and I don’t suppose it’s applicable. I imagine it’s extra helpful to handle every little thing privately, as ought to be carried out 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 in charge anybody. I wish to analyze and make clear what occurred. I had requested to pit two laps earlier, figuring out that Charles was quicker and that I might have helped him, however with Lewis Hamilton behind, the scenario was sophisticated. Moreover, the graining made it tough to proceed, which is why I insisted on stopping. Regardless of every little thing, 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 shall be adopted by many post-race clarifications. Past all that, Ferrari is accumulating lower than hoped for within the battle in opposition to 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 might 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 must get alongside, even when just for present.
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