Carlos Sainz foresees a few more exciting clashes with teammate Charles Leclerc this season, adding an extra thrill to their races.
- A feisty maneuver by Sainz on Lap 3 of the Spanish Grand Prix stirred some debates about team orders.
- Tensions simmered post-race, with accusations of ignoring tire management instructions from both drivers.
- Despite the public showdown, Sainz insists he and Leclerc maintain a positive relationship off the track.
- Clarifying the situation, Sainz denied breaking any pre-race agreements, pointing out his adherence to team orders when necessary.
Carlos Sainz predicted that his recent ‘ding dong’ encounter with Charles Leclerc at the Spanish Grand Prix is just the beginning of more thrilling head-to-heads between the Ferrari teammates during the exciting F1 2024 season. He quickly dismissed allegations of ignoring team orders when he passed Leclerc during the initial laps of the Barcelona race, emphasizing that such incidents are quite normal in such a competitive environment.
During the race, as Sainz attempted to overtake Leclerc at Turn 1 on Lap 3, a bit of friction was inevitable. Leclerc commented that Sainz closed in on him at the apex, while Sainz countered, saying he was ‘forced off’. Post-race, Leclerc accused Sainz of ignoring team instructions to manage their tires, which Sainz brushed off, suggesting that his teammate was complaining excessively.
Addressing the media before the Austrian Grand Prix, Sainz expressed that these confrontations are natural when two highly competitive drivers share the track, emphasizing that such public exchanges of words are the real downer. He stated, ‘With Charles, it’s obviously not the first ding dong and it will not be the last.’ Sainz underlined that these episodes happen often because they frequently start in adjacent positions and are always contending closely. The duo, sharing the same asphalt over 24 races, is bound to have these competitive moments, which they prefer to resolve between themselves rather than through team intervention.
Sainz also clarified the specifics of the incident, ensuring he followed all team orders once they were issued, exemplified by letting Leclerc pass later on. He stated confidently, ‘If there would have been a team order, I’ve been the first one to follow them.’ His remarks aimed at reinforcing his commitment to Ferrari’s strategies, stating that his decision to overtake was backed by an understanding that there was no specific order to hold his position.
Despite the occasional skirmishes on the track, Sainz and Leclerc’s camaraderie seems unwavering, promising more electrifying races ahead.
