Carlos Sainz’s clash with Charles Leclerc during the sprint race at the Chinese GP could indicate that the Spaniard is focusing on his own performance. Sainz, who is currently without a contract for next season, is attracting interest from several teams, including Audi, Red Bull, and Mercedes. As a result, he has been putting in strong performances this year, including a victory at the Australian GP.
However, Sainz’s efforts to secure a drive for next season have started to cause problems within Ferrari. His intense battle with Leclerc during the sprint race suggests that he is prioritizing his own results to impress potential employers. This incident has caused tension between the two teammates, with Leclerc stating that he needed to discuss the matter with Sainz.
Typically, after such incidents, drivers try to downplay the situation in the media. However, things have taken a different turn within the Italian team. Leclerc claimed that he had resolved the issue with Sainz in a private conversation, but Sainz contradicted this statement, stating that they had not spoken. This suggests that Sainz is no longer willing to follow Ferrari’s instructions as he looks to secure a seat at a new team.
This approach mirrors that of Sebastian Vettel in 2020 when he was replaced by Sainz. It appears that Sainz is adopting a similar strategy, focusing solely on his own performance. Unfortunately, this could cause problems for Ferrari and have a negative impact on Leclerc’s results.
Leclerc may be forced to engage in intense battles with Sainz in future races, which could jeopardize both drivers’ performances. However, Ferrari has been adamant about treating both drivers equally thus far.
Carlos Sainz is determined to prove his worth in Formula 1 and will do whatever it takes to secure a seat for next season. However, it remains to be seen if this will create tensions within Ferrari, especially given the conflicting statements from Sainz and Leclerc. Fans can expect some exciting drama in the days to come.