The 2 have been clashing for 3 seasons now. Let’s be trustworthy: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz can now not stand one another. Or moderately, for the reason that automobile started to indicate actual competitiveness within the begin of the 2022 System 1 season, at any time when they’ve been shut on monitor, particularly on Carlos Sainz’s half, it should be mentioned, there have been behaviors seemingly meant to harass the opposite. We’ve witnessed this on a number of events, together with this season.
In 2024, with Carlos Sainz leaving the Maranello staff even earlier than the debut race, issues have intensified. The Spaniard has targeted extra on himself than on the staff, 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 System 1 world champion and it was solely a matter of time, so congratulations to him. Mercedes did effectively, with a improbable 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 reduce 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 staff 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 advised to not stress you, so handle the tire warm-up calmly.” Finished and dusted? In no way. Carlos Sainz overtook Charles Leclerc, and the Monegasque misplaced his cool: “Perhaps it is best to inform him in Spanish.” A comment implying that the Spaniard both doesn’t perceive or doesn’t need 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 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 a whole lot of time,” Charles Leclerc defined, referring to his battle with George Russell within the early laps. “On laborious tires, we had 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 problem: “Concerning Carlos, I desire not to enter element. I’m not glad as a result of some agreed-upon issues weren’t revered. It’s fantastic, although: for the staff, nothing adjustments within the Constructors’ Championship since we completed third and fourth. For the Drivers’ Championship, I’m a bit dissatisfied contemplating the battle with Lando Norris. Now I have to give attention to 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 effectively that he has his final probabilities to attain important ends in F1 earlier than transferring to Williams, and who is aware of what the long run holds for his profession. Carlos is already not notably inclined to staff agreements with Leclerc—this may be mentioned plainly—and since he was not confirmed by Ferrari, he has had much more cause to behave on his personal. That mentioned, he prefers to not focus on it an excessive amount of with the media.
“I’ve clear agreements with the staff and with Charles, and I desire to not gasoline 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 discuss these issues to the press—it’s not my fashion, and I don’t suppose it’s applicable. I imagine it’s extra helpful to handle every little thing privately, as must be achieved in a staff.”
The Spanish driver shared his perspective on the missed pit cease when he lower 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 accountable anybody. I need to analyze and make clear what occurred. I had requested to pit two laps earlier, figuring out that Charles was quicker and that I may have helped him, however with Lewis Hamilton behind, the scenario was difficult. Moreover, the graining made it troublesome 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 desire to debate it internally with out fueling public controversies.”
Briefly, this Carlos Sainz podium will probably be adopted by many post-race clarifications. Past all that, Ferrari is gathering lower than hoped for within the battle 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. Most likely, 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 likelihood of successful. So, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have to get alongside, even when just for present.
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