After a period of difficulty, Charles Leclerc has once again come out on top against Carlos Sainz, stepping onto the podium twice in Miami, both in the sprint race and in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix. A solid performance from the Monegasque, solidifying his third position in the driver’s championship, with Sergio Perez now only three points behind.
A good performance overall also for the Spaniard, finishing fourth at the finish line and penalized afterwards for ruining Oscar Piastri’s race, forcing the Australian to return to the pits to replace the damaged front wing.
In recent times, there has been much talk of presumed hierarchies within Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz, notwithstanding the Jeddah forfeit due to appendicitis, starting the season in great form, highlighted by the splendid victory in Melbourne.
However, when asked about the issue at the end of the Miami Grand Prix, Frederic Vasseur was keen to emphasize that there is no preference between the two drivers and that both are on the same level: “I believe that at Suzuka, Charles Leclerc was less than a tenth away from Carlos Sainz. This weekend it was the same, but the roles were reversed.” – he pointed out.
“We must not draw hasty conclusions about sudden changes in hierarchies. They are doing a good job. Part of last year’s recovery was due to their excellent relationship. Now they are doing the same.”
For the Frenchman, the internal rivalry between the two is a way to further raise the team’s level, rather than a handicap: “I don’t like to talk about fighting, but this internal competition between them is the best way to push the team to grow.”
With the Florida weekend behind them, Charles Leclerc now has 98 points against his teammate’s 83, who finds himself tied on points with his former teammate and friend Lando Norris, fresh off his first career victory in Formula 1.
Source: f1ingenerale
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