According to Carlos Sainz, only Lando Norris can compete with Charles Leclerc when it comes to pure one-lap pace, while Max Verstappen remains the strongest driver in race conditions.
Who is the best in qualifying? Sainz votes for Leclerc
Charles Leclerc has long been recognized by Formula 1 insiders as one of the fastest drivers on the grid in qualifying, and the numbers speak for themselves. In 165 Grands Prix, the Monegasque driver has achieved 27 pole positions — many of them with cars that, on paper, were not even expected to reach the front row.
Carlos Sainz, who spent four seasons as Leclerc’s teammate at Ferrari, has had the chance to observe his raw speed up close. On Saturdays, the qualifying head-to-head between the two ended 57–32 in favor of Charles Leclerc, leaving little doubt for the Spaniard about who holds the upper hand over a single lap.
Sainz’s words
“Over one lap, the fastest driver is Charles,” Carlos Sainz told Spanish outlet COPE. “It would be a battle between Charles and Lando Norris. In the race, though, it’s Max Verstappen.”
For Sainz, the combination of Charles Leclerc’s precision, car control, and commitment in qualifying makes him almost unbeatable when it comes to extracting maximum performance on a flying lap. Meanwhile, he considers Max Verstappen’s strength to lie in his consistency and ability to dominate race pace over long stints.
Struggles with Albon
Throughout his Formula 1 career, Carlos Sainz has shared the garage with all three drivers mentioned — Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen — and has often emerged ahead in the standings. He finished in front of Norris in 2019 and 2020, and ahead of Charles Leclerc in 2021. However, the 2025 season has been more challenging for the Spaniard following his move to Williams.
Sainz has suffered from several unlucky incidents and a difficult adaptation period with his new team. The head-to-head with teammate Alex Albon currently stands at 70–32 in favor of the Thai driver. Still, the Spanish driver can take pride in one important achievement — delivering Williams’ only podium of the season. That top-three finish was also the team’s first genuine podium in eight years, excluding the controversial result of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
Despite a challenging campaign, Carlos Sainz’s comments highlight both his respect for his former teammates and his belief in the exceptional talent of Charles Leclerc in qualifying — a skill that continues to make the Monegasque driver one of the most feared competitors on the grid.
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