Charles Leclerc reassures the media about tensions with Carlos Sainz

The Ferrari team has decided to change its list of drivers for the next season. Carlos Sainz, who has been with the Maranello team since 2021, will give up his seat to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and will join the Williams team. This transfer ends the collaboration between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, despite good relations between the two men. However, after the announcement of the British driver’s transfer to Ferrari at the beginning of the season, their relationship was affected by some tensions. The Spaniard wanted to prove his worth to other teams, knowing that he was now without a seat.

The Spanish Grand Prix, source of tensions

The most striking example of their disagreement remains the Spanish Grand Prix. The two Ferraris, fifth and sixth on the starting grid, had been instructed not to touch each other during the race. However, as early as the beginning of the third lap, the Monegasque slowed down in the last corner to preserve his tires as requested by the team. A directive that was not followed by the Spaniard who did not slow down and with the help of the DRS (Drag Reduction System) aggressively attacked his teammate the following lap.

Upon arrival at the race, the winner of the Monaco Grand Prix didn’t mince his words regarding Carlos Sainz’s attitude. According to him, the Spaniard was solely responsible for the accident, not having respected the team’s instructions given at the beginning of the weekend. While he absolutely wanted to overtake his teammate, he had dangerously approached the second Ferrari. On his side, the Spanish driver had stated the complete opposite. After the race, he notably reproached his teammate for complaining too often about the events that occurred during the Grand Prix.

The easing of tensions between the two pilots

Despite this episode, tensions seem to have eased since the incident in Spain, with Carlos Sainz finding refuge at Williams. Charles Leclerc explained that this situation is normal when two drivers are as close in terms of pace. “It is normal that sometimes there are frictions. Carlos and I do not always agree on what is happening on the track, and managing adrenaline is not easy, but the important thing is to be able to discuss it once the race is over. On the radio, there always seems to be tension, but that is not the case,” he confirmed to the Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

Carlos Sainz also confirmed these statements during the Austrian Grand Prix, emphasizing that small disputes are inevitable due to the competitive nature of Formula 1. The two drivers being only separated by 15 points this season and each having already won a race.

Even if their relationship remains very harmonious, worries still persist at Ferrari because of the performance shown by the car in recent weeks. Currently relegated as the third force on the grid, behind Red Bull and McLaren, Ferrari seems to be losing its edge over Mercedes. A challenging situation according to the Monegasque driver, who remains optimistic for the rest of his season. “We know we are in a difficult situation, but we will do everything to come back to the top. We work well with the team and the relationship with Vasseur is really good, it doesn’t take many words to understand each other. The goal is clear for everyone and we want to show what we can do,” he said.

Team Director Frédéric Vasseur has set clear objectives for the last ten Grand Prix of this year. Pressure is therefore on at Ferrari to deliver a strong second half of the season. Charles Leclerc’s comments suggest that communication and a united team will be crucial for the team to quickly return to the top.