⚠️ | Charles Leclerc was super angry on the team radio after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. 😬 #LasVegasGP #F1
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz clarified his view on the relationship with his teammate Charles Leclerc after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had a couple of conflicts in the last four seasons (including 2024) together, the most recent one taking place after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Leclerc's angry radio message went viral after this race. His teammate Sainz was told not to put pressure on him after the second pit stop, and despite that, the Spaniard overtook him at his next opportunity.
The 27-year-old was not happy and suggested after the Grand Prix that he always respects the team orders, while his teammate doesn't.
⚠️ | Charles Leclerc was super angry on the team radio after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. 😬 #LasVegasGP #F1
Sainz also shared his point of view after the race, saying that his Monegasque teammate might have the right to be angry, but he did as well.
In general, the two Ferrari teammates claim to be very good friends, but each time something like this happens, F1 fans on social media start doubting whether that is true or just a PR play.
Speaking to the media ahead of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, Sainz said he is always disappointed when he sees people speculating about his relationship with Charles Leclerc:
"I sometimes keep seeing, on social media, that people believe it's not true and it's all PR. Honestly, it disappoints me, because people cannot sometimes understand that we have a professional relationship."
"And in that professional relationship, we go through ups and downs. As competitive as we are, we're always going to have some issues on track because, again, if he would be P1 and I would be P8 or vice versa, we would never have issues."
"But unfortunately, or let's say fortunately for the team, we're always at the same point on track, and we're having our little issues here and there."
"But then we also have a personal relationship. And as much as the professional one goes through ups and downs, the personal one, I can tell you, it's always been really, really good."
Leclerc also spoke to the press ahead of the race at Lusial International Circuit in Qatar and suggested that the conflict from the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix has been resolved.
The 27-year-old noted that both he and Sainz make mistakes from time to time but are very good friends and always resolve them through private discussions. The Spaniard added:
"He [Leclerc] is one of those guys that I know in the future when I'm not in Formula One, I'll look back and say, 'I'm glad I met him and I'm glad I raced with him and I'm glad I can have a lot of good memories with him.'"
"In these four years in Ferrari, I've enjoyed every single moment with him. Even the tough ones, as much as they've been tough,"
"I'm pretty sure in 20/30 years I'll laugh about them and look back and be proud of what we've achieved together."