The attention of the Italian press in the reports of the British Grand Prix qualifying was captured by the radio exchange between Ferrari’s two drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The scenario was the first segment of Saturday afternoon’s practice – Q1 – when the Spaniard first contested the Maranello team’s decision to let the Monegasque in the lead (as per previous agreements) and then overtook him on the track for fear of not being able to make the final attempt, prompting a sharp response from Charles Leclerc over the radio, clearly annoyed by his teammate’s maneuver.
The press review
La Stampa, by Stefano Mancini, chose the headline “Ferrari sparks” and analyzed the relationship between the two Ferrari drivers: “The first result is that the two Carlos don’t get along well now that there are only crumbs at stake, let alone on the day they would potentially compete for the title.”
Expanding the analysis to the entire qualifying session, it is observed that “the forecast no longer exists. He always wins: Max Verstappen,” while for Ferrari, the glass is half full in that “Mercedes and Aston Martin are behind,” and half empty in that “the resurgent McLarens placed themselves ahead of the two Reds.”
For Paolo Rossi of La Repubblica, the title is dedicated to the poleman: “Verstappen ruins McLaren’s party,” but there is also a reference to what happened between the Ferrari drivers. “The two drivers confirmed that the atmosphere in the Ferrari garage is not like that of the book ‘Cuore,'” explained the journalist, continuing, “The back and forth was due to the urgency of the situation, but maybe Davide Valsecchi, Sky commentator, is right about the need to avoid these duels. At the tenth race of the season and the penultimate one before the break, tensions are evidently starting to rise because the time for analysis and evaluation is approaching. And, by the way, the rumors that have been circulating for some time about Albon being a candidate to move to Maranello certainly don’t bring serenity. It’s a pity that Sainz’s contract expires next year.”
Il Quotidiano Sportivo, with Leo Turrini, chose this headline: “The Prancing Horse is nervous. There’s Max, then the McLarens. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, sparks.” The Sassuolo journalist dedicated a paragraph to what happened at Ferrari: “It’s also worth mentioning that the atmosphere within Ferrari is not very good. During qualifying, Sainz and Leclerc had more than one exchange over the radio. Perhaps a sign that both of them believe they have some good cards to play in the race…”. A sentence also dedicated to Mattia Binotto, present in the Silverstone paddock: “The former number one of Ferrari is officially in England as a tourist, but many imagine he will return to the environment. With Audi from 2026?”
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Finally, Il Corriere dello Sport, by Fulvio Solms, focused on the clash between the Maranello drivers: “Ferrari, troubled waters.” The journalist from the Roman newspaper asks, “How long will they hold up?” and argues, “By the way: unfortunately, we’re here. We don’t see how the coexistence between Charles and Carlos, which has so far remained contained in a substantially good relationship, can have a lifespan as long as their contracts (until the end of 2024). Carlitos asks for the space that was promised to him when he signed for Ferrari, he is ambitious and works to become a world champion one day. Whether he has the means, whether he can really make it, is a completely different matter, but there’s no point in pretending. In reality, Charles Leclerc is at the center of Ferrari’s project. While in the Silverstone paddock, the rumor we reported on Friday about Ferrari’s connection to Alex Albon from 2025 as Charles’ understudy has become common knowledge. Let’s call things by their name.”
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