Charles Leclerc explains how internal battle with Carlos Sainz helps both drivers improve. Charles Leclerc on how Ferrari internal battle with Carlos Sainz helps both drivers improve.

A red internal duel that fuels championship dreams

Since he was announced as Scuderia Ferrari’s future driver back in 2020, Carlos Sainz has emphasized that he wouldn’t come to Maranello to be just a supporting driver. The Spaniard proved it in 2021 by finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ standings. In 2022, the Monegasque’s start with the new ground-effect cars was dazzling, but after Carlos Sainz’s victory in Melbourne, the score is now three wins for each during their time together in Maranello.

In the two race weekends he has participated in so far this season, Carlos Sainz has finished ahead of Charles Leclerc in the race, although at the Bahrain International Circuit, the duel was not on equal terms as the Monegasque suffered from front brake issues. However, in Australia, Carlos Sainz preceded his teammate both in Qualifying – which is Charles Leclerc’s specialty – and in the race at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

During the press conference, Charles Leclerc emphasized that since becoming teammates with Carlos Sainz, the two have pushed each other to improve, a dynamic from which Ferrari benefits: “Carlos had a better weekend than mine in Australia. I wasn’t perfect in qualifying or in the second stint of the race where I had more tire degradation than expected. Basically, for three years, there’s been a race where Sainz beats me, and then I push to beat him in the next one. This way, we improve. It’s very stimulating to have a teammate like Carlos Sainz.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out.

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