Just in:Ferrari star reveals ANGER over team-mate…………..read more
Ferrari star reveals ANGER over team-mate…………..read more
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has opened up about his frustration with the speculation surrounding his relationship with teammate Carlos Sainz following the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix. Leclerc, who finished third in the race, found himself in the midst of controversy after a moment during the event sparked rumors of tension between the two Ferrari drivers. The incident, caught by television cameras, showed Leclerc apparently ignoring Sainz’s instructions during the race, leading to widespread speculation on social media about their relationship and potential conflicts within the team.
The Mexican Grand Prix, held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, saw Sainz claim his first win of the 2024 season, an achievement that ended Ferrari’s dry spell for victories. At one point in the race, Leclerc, who was closely following Sainz in second place, found himself under pressure from McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was gaining on him in the latter stages of the race. This situation set the stage for the tension that would later make headlines.
As the race progressed, Sainz radioed Ferrari’s race engineers, asking them to instruct Leclerc to back off. Sainz was concerned that Leclerc was pushing his tires too hard and was at risk of losing position to Norris, who was closing in fast. Despite the request, Leclerc didn’t immediately react to the call, and Norris eventually passed him, finishing ahead in second place.
After the race, a television shot showed a brief moment where Leclerc appeared to disregard Sainz’s earlier request, which led to a flurry of online commentary. Fans and media speculated that there might be underlying tension between the two Ferrari drivers, a notion that quickly gained traction across social media platforms. The assumption was that Leclerc had been upset with the request to slow down, and the pair might not be on the best terms.
Leclerc, however, was quick to set the record straight during an interview with former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. Speaking with Sky Germany, Leclerc admitted that he had been angered by the way the situation was portrayed and the rumors that emerged afterward. “I’m very happy you brought it up,” Leclerc began, addressing Glock’s question about the alleged tension with Sainz. “Because I am very angry with what I’ve seen everywhere,” he continued, making it clear that he was not pleased with the way things were being presented to the public.
The Monegasque driver explained that, in reality, there was no tension between him and Sainz during the race. He clarified that he had no idea about Sainz’s radio call for him to back off at the time, which meant that he had no reason to be upset with his teammate. “People judge on two seconds of what I’m saying,” Leclerc noted, referring to the brief moments that fans and media had focused on in the aftermath of the race.
Leclerc emphasized that his relationship with Sainz was far from strained and that, in fact, prior to the race, they had spoken and there was no sign of discord between them. “Before that, I went to see Carlos, and there was no tension because I don’t even know what he was requesting at the beginning of the race,” Leclerc explained. He suggested that the public’s perception of their relationship was based on a superficial reading of a few seconds of footage, and he felt that it was unfair to judge their entire dynamic based on that isolated moment.
The 2024 season has seen Ferrari face several challenges, and both Leclerc and Sainz have been at the center of a highly competitive battle within the team. While there is no doubt that both drivers are competitive and eager for success, Leclerc’s comments highlight the complexities of team dynamics in Formula 1, where every move and every radio message is scrutinized by fans, media, and even fellow competitors.
Leclerc’s outburst at the Brazilian Grand Prix serves as a reminder of the pressures and emotions involved in racing at the highest level, where public perception can often cloud the reality of the situation. Despite the speculation that followed the Mexican Grand Prix, it seems clear that Leclerc and Sainz have a professional relationship and share mutual respect for one another.
As Ferrari continues to compete for podium finishes and chase their elusive first World Championship title since 2007, Leclerc and Sainz will need to maintain a strong working relationship. Their ability to collaborate, especially in challenging races, could prove crucial for the team’s success in the remaining rounds of the 2024 season. For now, Leclerc has set the record straight, expressing his frustration with how the situation was handled in the media and reaffirming that any perceived tension between him and Sainz was a misinterpretation of the facts.