Charles Leclerc ‘very Angry’ As Carlos Sainz Incident Goes Viral On Social Media
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has responded after witnessing the reaction of Formula 1 fans to a supposed rift between the Monegasque and his team-mate Carlos Sainz
Charles Leclerc has played down reports of a rift with Carlos Sainz (Image: Getty Images)
Charles Leclerc explained he was left “very angry” by people’s rush to judgement after some F1 fans suggested he and Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz have had a falling-out.
It is the final season of the Leclerc-Sainz partnership with the Italian team. Lewis Hamilton will replace the latter in 2025, but Ferrari remain in the hunt for the constructors championship this time around.
They missed the chance to make a statement last time out at the Grand Prix of Brazil, though. Leclerc finished fifth, with Mexico Grand Prix winner Sainz crashing out, and the Spaniard’s comments went viral.
“My opinion is that we are pushing too hard, absolutely no need for the team,” Sainz was heard saying over team radio in Sao Paulo. However, his team-mate has poured cold water on suggestions the pair are at loggerheads.
“I’m very angry with what I’ve seen everywhere,” Leclerc told Sky Deutschland (via PlanetF1) when asked about the suggestions of intra-team tension. “People judge on two seconds of coverage.
“And actually before that, I went to see Carlos and there was no tension because I don’t even know what he was requesting at the beginning of the race.”
It was Max Verstappen who ended up on top in Brazil, despite starting from 17th on the grid. The win saw him extend his lead in the drivers’ classification, opening up a 62-point lead over closest challenger Lando Norris with Leclerc behind the pair in third.
What have you made of the Leclerc-Sainz situation? Have your say in the comments section
Sainz won the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Leclerc joining him on the podium ( Image:
Getty Images) It isn’t the first time the relationship between the two Ferrari drivers has garnered headlines. The pair traded barbs at the Spanish Grand Prix over the summer, with Sainz dismissing complaints from his team-mate.
“Too many times he complains after the race about something,” the Spaniard said after the two Ferraris touched during the race in Barcelona. “I was on the attack, on a new soft while Mercedes were on a used soft, and we had to go on the attack in the first laps and try to pass them like we said even before the race.
“I passed Charles – I don’t know if he made a mistake or was managing a bit too much, and then I went on and nearly passed Lewis… I was just trying out there what I have to try as a driver. He elected to manage more and in the end it paid off. I like to be aggressive and it didn’t pay off, it is what it is.”
Next up for the two Ferrari drivers is a trip to Las Vegas for one of three remaining races in the 2024 season. Leclerc took second place in the 2023 edition after starting on pole, while Sainz ended up down in sixth.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Catch all the action from Formula One on Sky Sports and get exclusive access to races, qualifying and much more for every Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you won’t miss a lap on Sky Sports.
