Sainz Highlights Leclerc's Strengths: 'We Make Very Good Pair'

Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 02:00

Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz said he believes he makes a strong pairing with his Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have been teammates ever since the 2021 season when the Spanish driver came to Scuderia from McLaren to replace Sebastian Vettel.

The two teammates have been one of the most equally matched F1 driver pairings throughout all the seasons, but especially in 2023, when the gap between the two drivers was a mere six points at the end of the season.

Sainz noted he and his teammate are close to each other in terms of race pace during a recent interview with DAZN Spain. He said:

"In every race, we are within half a tenth of each other. Charles Leclerc and I are always together."

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Leclerc is considered the fastest driver on the grid at the moment in terms of raw pace over one qualifying lap. Sainz acknowledged his teammate's strengths:

"The ability he has on a single lap, the ability he has in the race to come back and gain positions at the start… We make a very good pair. We make a very good pairing."

Both Ferrari drivers have their contracts expiring at the end of the season 2024. While neither of them has been announced to have signed the contract yet, it is expected both will continue with the Italian team.

"I think we are two drivers who get on very well together. I think that’s the best thing for the team, to have two drivers pushing each other.

Ferrari has treated both drivers equally through the 2023 season, and the 29-year-old said the drivers have, in return, prioritized the team in their decision-making. He added:

"I think we have a healthy competition between us, but we always prioritise the team. I try to bite when I have to bite and I try to control myself when I have to control myself."