How Charles Leclerc's role was crucial for Carlos Sainz to give Ferrari its first victory of 2023

Charles Leclerc’s role was crucial for both Ferrari and Carlos Sainz in the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. It wouldn’t be accurate to describe the Monegasque as a mere wingman. It was a team effort in which everyone played their part.

Well-known Italian journalist and motorsport expert Roberto Chinchero explained it best during his regular live stream on Twitch. When discussing why the SF-23 seems to suit the driving style of Carlos Sainz better than his Maranello teammate’s, the well-known journalist pointed out:

“The car has taken a development direction that is not ideal for Leclerc’s driving style. It’s not that the team decides to do it for Carlos Sainz or Charles Leclerc; that’s a huge misconception!” Roberto Chinchero emphasized. “The engineers build the car in the direction that shows the best overall performance. Based on this, the drivers have to adapt.”

For this reason, the Spaniard seems to have found “a better feeling than Charles” with this year’s Ferrari, the journalist continued. The difference between the two Red drivers is minimal, but it can affect their chances of securing pole position.

Since the Monegasque lost his opportunity to start from the front row, and considering that the SF-23 is not a car that allows for immediate pushing, Charles Leclerc helped Carlos Sainz in his quest for victory.

Ferrari’s plan to win the race at the Marina Bay street circuit
Scuderia Ferrari’s strategy was to start driver #16 on the red tires. The plan was straightforward, as explained by Roberto Chinchero: stay ahead of George Russell. “At that point, he [Leclerc] acts as a buffer against George. The race is about Sainz, but that’s normal.”

The journalist then explained that if the roles were reversed, it would have been the same. Ferrari’s goal was “to seize this opportunity in a weekend where, incredibly, Red Bull isn’t performing well.”

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In essence, the Maranello team had to seize the chance to win the race. The only way to do it was “only if the pole-sitter was covered from behind,” he concluded during his Twitch live stream. That’s why Charles Leclerc’s role was crucial for Carlos Sainz to give Ferrari its first victory of the year in Singapore.