While Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc had a great start to the 2022 Formula 1 season, with two amazing race wins in Bahrain and Australia, his Maranello teammate Carlos Sainz was not able to consistently challenge him.
Some errors in Australia, Imola and Barcelona led to missed opportunities of finishing on the podium in the early stages of the championship, when the F1-75 car proved fast enough to fight against Max Verstappen for race victories. However, an upturn in form brought more podiums for the Spaniard and even a race win at the Silverstone circuit in the British Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz admitted that he was the first to be disappointed with some aspects of the 2022 Formula 1 campaign, especially in the first part of the season. Due to the poor start and a series of retirements, the Spaniard ended the Drivers’ standings in fifth place, even behind Mercedes’ George Russell.
New Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur wanted to defend Carlos Sainz and pointed out his intention to not issue any driver preferences in the start of the 2023 F1 season, until absolutely required based on the performance as the season progresses:
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“You probably know that we started the discussion with Carlos and Carlos’ management when I was at Renault to attract him and to sign the contract for 2017 or something,” Fred Vasseur explained – “Then he joined a bit later and, when I was Sauber, I tried to sign Carlos again, [but this time] without success, and I said ‘okay, if I want to attract Carlos, the best way is to join the team where he is!’ We have always had a very good relationship. I trust him, and I think he showed in the last couple of years that he is potential winner. But it’s very important for the team that we don’t have a number one and a number two. The organisation is crystal clear, but they have to do their job, and if at any stage I have to take action for Carlos and for Charles, I will do it.” – new Scuderia Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur concluded.
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