Charles Leclerc made headlines after the race weekend in Las Vegas. Clips of a massive tirade over the team radio went viral on the internet. The Monegasque had to give up his podium spot to Carlos Sainz – unjustly, he believed. In the run-up to the Qatar GP, Leclerc wants to downplay the dispute with Sainz and focus on the final races with his Spanish teammate.
During a press conference prior to the Qatar GP, Leclerc was naturally asked about his outburst in Las Vegas. “It was nothing special,” assured the 27-year-old driver. “As I’ve said many times before, Carlos (Sainz) and I have a very good relationship. Sometimes one of us goes too far and then we only need to discuss for a very short time – we exchange one look and we understand each other again. That’s settled quickly.”
“I have no doubt that we sometimes need these kinds of incidents,” Leclerc continued. “Just as I have no doubt that we will work well together in the next two races. After all, we have to win the constructors’ title together.” Ferrari has closed the gap to championship leader McLaren to twenty-four points after the Las Vegas GP. “Such an opportunity does not come often,” said the Monegasque. “Only by working together as a team can we clinch that title.
Sainz’s Transfer
In 2025, Carlos Sainz is sacrificed for the benefit of Lewis Hamilton, giving Leclerc a new teammate after four years. “I’m not going to miss him too much, he’s still in the paddock,” Leclerc said about Sainz’s transfer. “I like him a lot, but he’s not my girlfriend or anything like that,” he added with a laugh. “We will surely spend a lot of time together. He is a good person.”
During the summer break, Carlos Sainz chose to collaborate with Williams. The Spaniard will be joined by Alexander Albon, another driver who once started in the Red Bull ranks. Meanwhile, Leclerc has to be content with Lewis Hamilton. The eight-time race winner has emphasized several times that he is looking forward to working with the British star.
