Tensions between Sainz and Leclerc after the Spanish Grand Prix? Fred Vasseur answers

The Spanish Grand Prix 2024 ends on a bad note for the Ferrari team. After a disappointing race and a lost position for Charles Leclerc in the championship, it is now the disagreements between the two drivers that are jeopardizing the atmosphere within the team. While both cars were engaged in the first corner of the third lap, Carlos Sainz dangerously approached his teammate’s car, leading to contact between the two. Some damage was observed on the Monegasque’s car as clearly the two men were fighting without allowing each other much space.

According to Charles Leclerc, the damage caused to his car was decisive for the rest of his race. Despite regaining positions after the incident, he ran out of time to catch George Russell and therefore has to settle for fifth place in this tenth Grand Prix of the season. After the incident, the driver did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction in the media after the race.

« It’s a pity because the team had told us before the race to preserve the tires at that specific moment […] and we both knew that we had to preserve them, and Carlos used that lap to push in turn 14 and was very close to me and overtook me, which was fine, but he took the last turn as if I wasn’t there,” he explains in the post-race press conference.

« It’s a bit of a shame, but anyway, we will discuss it internally. It’s not a big deal,” he resumed. « I understand that it was his home race and a very important moment in his career, and he wanted to do something spectacular, but I was probably not the right person to do it with,” he added.

« It’s not a big deal. I think he will see the images and he will understand that I was inside and that he couldn’t turn at that moment. » he finishes.

A different story according to Sainz

While the Monegasque driver was expecting to see Carlos Sainz take responsibility for the accident, it is a different view that he shared with the press. For him, it is rather his teammate who did not follow the team’s instructions.

« I think he complains too often about something after a race. Obviously, in the heat of anger, he might think that. » he begins by saying in the post-race press conference. « Honestly, at this point in the season, I don’t know. I was pushing, we were on new soft tires, Mercedes was on used softs, and we have to attack from the first laps when we are on new tires and try to overtake them, as we had said before the race. » he adds.

I passed Charles because I don’t know if he made a mistake or if he was managing his tires a bit too much.

» will end up saying Carlos Sainz.

The dispute between the two drivers having been made public, Fred Vasseur, team principal of the Ferrari team, had no choice but to speak out in turn. In an interview with the media, including RacingNews365, he is addressing the incident between the two teammates.

« Let’s discuss it and not jump to conclusions with the pilots’ first comments as soon as they get out of the car.

Fred Vasseur also provided additional information regarding the current relationship between Sainz and Leclerc.

« Outside of the car, they maintain a very good relationship, a strong mutual trust, and they are competitors,” he added.

« Of course, this kind of situation can happen, but I know perfectly well that we get a lot out of this situation. […] last year, we improved thanks to this situation between them and this competition throughout the season. Sometimes, what happened happens and it’s part of the game.

Fred Vasseur therefore does not seem to have any doubts about the good understanding within the team after the race. However, the drivers will have to be monitored during the rest of the season to ensure that this is indeed the case.