Charles Leclerc concluded his participation in the Sprint race of the 2024 Chinese GP with a respectable fourth-place finish. Despite his strong performance, Leclerc expressed dissatisfaction with the aggressive behavior of his teammate, Carlos Sainz, during their intense battle on the track.
In the closing stages of the race, Leclerc closely trailed Sainz as they approached a particular turn. It was at this moment that Sainz displayed an overly aggressive defensive tactic, resulting in Leclerc being forced off the track. However, Leclerc quickly retaliated and managed to reclaim fourth place from Sainz. Following the race, Leclerc did not hold back in his criticism of his teammate, stating, “He’s more focused on fighting against me than against other competitors.”
Leclerc’s strong reaction clearly indicates his anger towards Sainz’s actions during their wheel-to-wheel battle. It is expected that Ferrari’s Sprint race debrief will be filled with intense discussions and potential conflicts between the two drivers.
While Leclerc expressed his discontent with Sainz’s behavior, he also acknowledged that his teammate had crossed the line. As mentioned earlier, Sainz pushed Leclerc too wide during a specific turn. Leclerc believes that similar situations may arise during tomorrow’s main Grand Prix, considering the exciting nature of the Shanghai circuit.
Throughout the current season, Sainz has proven to be the stronger driver at Ferrari. However, Leclerc’s success in overtaking Sainz during the Sprint race has set the stage for an intriguing qualifying session and race in the upcoming Chinese GP. Fans can anticipate further intense battles between the two Ferrari drivers in the future.