Carlos Sainz Lifts Lid on ‘Internal Discussions’ After Ferrari Las Vegas Drama

RSKY1
Nov 30, 2024, 8:48 AM ET

Lewis Hamilton, 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1/Mercedes-AMG

Carlos Sainz discusses the internal discussions with Charles Leclerc after the Las Vegas Grand Prix and their strong off-track relationship despite on-track tensions.

Carlos Sainz has opened up about the recent tensions between him and Charles Leclerc during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, shedding light on the internal discussions held within Ferrari to resolve the issues and the state of their off-track relationship. Despite some on-track friction, the duo remains close friends away from the circuit.

Team Orders and Tensions During the Las Vegas Grand Prix

The Las Vegas Grand Prix saw a tense moment between Ferrari teammates Sainz and Leclerc, with Leclerc expressing frustration after Sainz did not yield to him under team orders. Leclerc, visibly upset, aired his grievances over team radio after finishing behind Sainz, while Sainz, in contrast, refrained from using the radio to complain.

Sainz, reflecting on the event, acknowledged that neither of them was pleased with the result, citing the team’s underperformance as a key reason for the frustration. However, he was quick to emphasize that both drivers have since moved on, thanks to productive internal discussions within the team.

“As I said, no-one was happy with the outcome of that race,” Sainz told the media, including PlanetF1.com, in Qatar. “I think that one of the predominant reasons is that we were just not fast enough to win that race, and we thought before Saturday that we could actually win it.”

Moving On: Internal Discussions and Turning the Page

Despite the on-track frustrations, Sainz confirmed that Ferrari has already held internal discussions to move forward and focus on the final two races of the season. Sainz pointed out that these kinds of situations are nothing new for him and Leclerc, who have often faced similar challenges over their years as teammates.

“We’ve learned our lessons. We’ve learned that there were mistakes done all around, and we had our discussions, internal discussions, and we managed to do a good job to conclude and to turn the page, which I think is always important,” Sainz explained.

He also expressed how quickly he and Leclerc are able to assess situations, recognizing that while there may be moments of frustration in the heat of the moment, they are able to work through their differences and keep their focus on the bigger picture.

“We go through some misunderstandings that in the heat of the moment we obviously are quite vocal about, and we feel very frustrated about, and after a couple of days have gone by, and you can see everything with a bit more perspective, relativise everything a bit more and give yourself a bit of time to analyse things and to conclude what happens.”

Off-Track Relationship: Friendship Beyond Rivalry

While the two Ferrari drivers share a competitive and occasionally tense relationship on track, Sainz was keen to clarify that their off-track bond remains strong. Despite online speculation and claims that their friendship is merely a PR stunt, Sainz reaffirmed the authenticity of their personal relationship, which has remained intact through the highs and lows of their F1 careers.

“I honestly keep seeing sometimes in social media that people believe it’s not true, and it’s all PR, and then, honestly, it disappoints me,” Sainz remarked. “Because people cannot sometimes understand that we have a professional relationship, and in that professional relationship, we go through ups and downs.”

Sainz went on to emphasize that while their professional relationship may involve moments of tension, they share a genuine friendship outside of the car. He highlighted that their mutual respect has allowed them to navigate difficult moments on and off the track.

“And as competitive as we are, we’re always going to have some issues on track. Because again, if he would be P1 and I would be P8 or vice versa, we would never have issues,” Sainz added. “But unfortunately, or let’s say fortunately for the team, we’re always in the same point at the track, and we’re having our little issues here and there.”

Looking to the Future: Fond Memories Beyond F1

Reflecting on their years together at Ferrari, Sainz expressed gratitude for the memories they have created, noting that despite the challenges, he will always value his time racing alongside Leclerc. Sainz believes that even in the future, when both are no longer in Formula 1, they will look back on their shared experiences with pride and laughter.

“He’s one of those guys that I know in the future, when I’m not in Formula 1, I’ll look back and say, ‘I’m glad I met him, and I’m glad I’ve raced with him, and I’m glad I can have a lot of good memories with him,’” Sainz concluded. “And in these four years in Ferrari, I’ve enjoyed every single moment with him, even the tough ones.”

With the 2023 season nearing its end, the Ferrari duo are committed to finishing strong and maintaining a professional approach, despite the natural rivalries that come with racing for one of F1's most iconic teams.