Carlos Sainz Discusses F1 Drivers' Public Image and His Partnership with Charles Leclerc
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Carlos Sainz discusses how Formula 1 drivers shape their public image and offers insight into his relationship with team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has opened up about how F1 drivers can manipulate their public image to suit their persona, revealing how appearances on TV and in interviews don't always reflect the true character of the athletes. According to Sainz, drivers have the ability to shape how they are perceived by the public, and it's not always a true representation of who they are off-track.
F1 Drivers Can ‘Manipulate’ Their Public Image
Sainz shared his thoughts with AMuS, noting that drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have chosen different approaches in how they present themselves to the media. Verstappen tends to keep a more reserved image, while Norris has been more open about his personal side. Sainz himself feels he might be somewhere in between, but emphasizes the need for caution when analyzing drivers based solely on public appearances.
“As a driver, you can always play with how you are viewed from the outside,” Sainz explained. “Drivers are quite capable of manipulating the public image in a certain way.” This comment suggests that the image fans see of drivers in interviews and on TV may not always be the complete story.
Insight from F1 Team-Mates and Colleagues
While public images can be manipulated, Sainz's relationship with his colleagues, particularly with former Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, may offer a more accurate insight into his character. Vasseur praised Sainz for his collaborative and competitive spirit with team-mate Charles Leclerc, highlighting their efforts to push each other and improve the team's performance.
“I have never in all my time of racing seen two team-mates so intensely preoccupied with what the other one is doing,” Vasseur said in an interview with Motor Sport Magazine. “They were incredible in how hard they were pushing each other – out of the car too, in how much work they were putting in. I really believe that competitive fight between them has brought us performance.”
Leclerc Reflects on Sainz’s Impact
Charles Leclerc, who has shared a close partnership with Sainz at Ferrari, also spoke highly of his team-mate. Leclerc described Sainz as “incredibly talented,” crediting him with helping to improve his own performance. Leclerc praised Sainz's work ethic, talent, and discipline, stating that the success Ferrari has seen in recent years is partly due to Sainz's contributions.
“Carlos is so incredibly talented. He’s helped me to improve in so many areas, his work ethic, his talent, and just everything he brings. If today we have done such a step forward in a year and in these four years, it’s a big thanks to Carlos,” Leclerc added. “He’s just been extremely quick.”
Leclerc also noted that, in Formula 1, success is sometimes driven by being in the right place at the right time, and he believes Sainz deserves a spot in a top team. “Carlos definitely deserves to be in a top team,” Leclerc concluded.
The Importance of Public Perception in F1
As Sainz and his fellow drivers continue to compete at the highest level of motorsport, the way they manage their public image remains a key factor in how they are perceived by fans and media alike. While the media portrays a driver in a certain light, it is the behind-the-scenes relationships, work ethic, and on-track performance that truly define their legacy in the sport.
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