Carlos Sainz believes the tension between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari is part of the inevitable dynamic between two competitive Formula 1 teammates. Drawing on his own four seasons alongside Charles Leclerc at Maranello, the Spanish driver recalled that they would argue two or three times a year before speaking privately and resolving their differences.
Carlos Sainz knows Ferrari’s internal dynamics particularly well, and he arguably knows Charles Leclerc just as well after sharing the garage with the Monegasque for four seasons. Their partnership was highly competitive and did not pass without tense moments. “That’s not respectful! He fights me more than the others! Nice overtake at the final corner. Well done, Carlos. Charles, you complain a bit too much,” were just some of the exchanges that characterised their time together.
That experience makes Carlos Sainz particularly well placed to assess the current situation between Charles Leclerc and his new teammate Lewis Hamilton following a high-tension weekend at Monza. The competitive relationship between Ferrari teammates has remained a major talking point, just as it did during Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc’s own period of close competition.
Carlos Sainz says Ferrari teammate clashes are inevitable
“It’s none of my business, but I can tell you that when you have two competitive teammates, these kinds of situations are inevitable,” Carlos Sainz began diplomatically.
He then reflected on his own experience alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. “Charles and I had a discussion or an argument at least two or three times a year, but after the race or the following morning we would call each other and sort everything out.”
According to Carlos Sainz, what happened between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Monza falls within the normal dynamics of two drivers competing for the same team at the front of Formula 1.
“When you are fighting for podiums or victories in a competitive team, there will always be situations at the first corner, moments when you are fighting on track or even over strategy. One day you won’t be happy with how the situation was handled, but maybe the next day you will be the one being favoured.”
The challenge of balancing individual ambition with the team’s interests has already been evident between Ferrari’s current drivers, including when Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton raced directly against each other during their time as teammates.
Carlos Sainz on Ferrari rules of engagement: ‘It’s always the same story’
Another factor suggested as contributing to Lewis Hamilton’s frustration after Monza is the absence of clearly defined “rules of engagement” between Ferrari teammates.
“It’s always the same story,” Carlos Sainz commented. “I don’t know how things are managed now, but when I was there, Charles and I always sorted things out between ourselves. And yes, we had a lot of fun.”
Carlos Sainz then recalled the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, when he fought Charles Leclerc hard for third place at Monza. Their battle was particularly intense, but the Spaniard explained that both drivers understood where the limit was.
“I remember it was quite an intense battle with Charles, but we didn’t end up having any arguments. We knew we had stayed within the limit, especially considering what was at stake. I’d say we had worse ones.”
That period also underlined how closely matched the former Ferrari teammates could be, with Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari record later providing a reference point when evaluating the drivers who followed him at Maranello.
Why Monza makes Ferrari teammate battles even more sensitive
Carlos Sainz is also fully aware of the additional pressure created by Ferrari’s home Grand Prix. Racing at Monza brings a different level of responsibility, particularly when the team’s two cars are fighting each other on track.
“At Monza, you feel an even greater level of responsibility and you know you have to do everything possible to avoid touching the other car. I think that’s an important rule in Formula One and motorsport in general, but at Monza it’s even more important. It’s something you always keep firmly in mind during every battle.”
For Carlos Sainz, therefore, occasional friction between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc should not be considered unusual in itself. His own Ferrari experience showed that two ambitious teammates can clash during a season, with the key being how those disagreements are handled afterwards.
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