Tensions flared at Ferrari during Chinese Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz pointed fingers at Charles Leclerc for their poor start. Signaling brewing tension amid Lewis Hamilton’s impending arrival next season.
Sainz and Leclerc found themselves trailing George Russell and Nico Hulkenberg after the opening corners in Shanghai. Sainz implied that Leclerc’s maneuvers squeezed him out of track space, a retaliatory move after their sprint race duel.
Addressing the race start, Sainz indicated that Leclerc’s positioning cost them both crucial positions on the grid. “I prefer not to comment,” Sainz remarked to Sky Sports. “But it’s obviously quite clear that it cost us both two positions, so it helped neither of us.”
Reflecting on the incident, Leclerc, who finished fourth, just ahead of Sainz, attributed their difficulties to the challenges of managing tire conditions during the start.
With Red Bull’s continued dominance and McLaren’s Lando Norris outperforming both Ferrari drivers in China, tensions within the team are escalating. Despite the setbacks, Sainz remains hopeful that significant upgrades to their car will enhance their performance in future races.
Acknowledging McLaren’s superiority in China, Sainz emphasized the need to adapt to different track conditions and anticipate forthcoming upgrades to boost Ferrari’s competitiveness.
Sainz is slated to depart Ferrari at season’s end, making way for Hamilton to join Leclerc in a revamped team lineup. Amid uncertainty about his future, Sainz remains focused on delivering strong performances and maximizing opportunities with the team.
“I just need to keep focused on what I’m doing, prove to myself. Prove to everyone that when I’m given a fast car. I’m maximizing what I’m given and I deliver,” Sainz commented earlier this month when asked about his future prospects.
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