Sainz 'Not As Blessed With Talent' As Leclerc According To Ralf Schumacher

Thursday, 05 October 2023 at 10:00

Updated at Tuesday, 10 October 2023 at 22:04

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher shared his opinion on Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. ahead of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

It is a dream for many drivers on the grid to get their chance to race for one of the top-of-the-grid teams like Scuderia Ferrari. The current driver duo, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc, both have their contracts valid until the end of the next season - 2024.

Even though both drivers still have one season left, they are in constant competition with each other to prove who is better and who is the one that deserves the seat. Recently, Sainz has had the upper hand on Leclerc, scoring a win and a third place in two of the previous three races.

Former Formula One driver, multiple Grand Prix winner, and a brother of the seven-time world champion, Ralf Schumacher told formel1.de how he perceives recent performances of the Monegasque driver in comparison to the Spaniard.

"Leclerc is now a bit at a crossroads, He needs to look at himself objectively because there is no point in being a big talent who is very fast and who tries to change the situation for the better but makes all these mistakes."

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Leclerc has proven his qualities in the past when he finished last season as a runner-up in the Drivers' Championship, 62 points ahead of his teammate. On the contrary, Sainz seems to be the one who is feeling more comfortable in the car. Schumacher added:

"Sainz is not as blessed with talent as Leclerc. I'm pretty sure of that. On the other hand, he is the more rounded package because he simply feels comfortable."

The Spaniard is currently fifth in the Drivers' Championship, 15 points ahead of his Monegasque teammate in sixth place. Ferrari team does not seem to have a clear number one driver at the time, which gives both drivers space to showcase their potential in the remaining six Grand Prix races of the season.