Charles Leclerc Breaks Silence On Sainz Drama: 'It's All Good'

It's been a turbulent week for the Ferrari camp, and the media is buzzing with speculation about the relationship between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz after their on-track collision at the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite the premature drama, Leclerc insists that the dynamic between the Ferrari drivers remains intact and unfazed.

The Clash at Barcelona

The incident in question occurred early in the race, during Lap 3, when Sainz attempted an ambitious move down the inside of Leclerc at Turn 1. What followed was a brief but significant touch that saw Sainz go off track temporarily before reclaiming his position. Naturally, the incident sparked differing opinions from both drivers. Leclerc lamented the move, describing it as 'a shame' and suggesting that his car suffered damages. Sainz, on the other hand, fired back, accusing Leclerc of whining too much post-race.

Post-Race Conversations

Despite the heated exchange, Leclerc downplayed any concerns about their relationship heading into the next race. Speaking at a press conference in Austria, Leclerc assured fans and reporters alike that the tension had subsided. 'For our relationship, not at all,' he replied when asked if he was worried. 'We came back on the same plane Sunday night, had a discussion, and it's all good.'

Leclerc continued, 'These issues can seem huge from the outside, but between us, we know each other well. We're both in the heat of the moment post-race, but after some discussion, everything returns to normal. I'm not worried at all about our relationship going forward.'

Interestingly, Leclerc reiterated his optimism despite Sainz's confirmed departure from Ferrari at the end of the season. With Lewis Hamilton set to join the Scuderia in 2025, both drivers seem focused on maintaining professionalism and collaboration during their remaining time together.

Keeping the Team Spirit Alive

Leclerc dismissed any notion that the team's dynamics have shifted due to Sainz's impending exit. 'No, we’ve been working very, very well,' Leclerc emphasized. 'In the past, we’ve had tricky moments, but these happen in close competition. It’s all about how you handle it afterwards, face-to-face. Carlos and I have always managed this well, so I have no worries moving forward.'

He further added, 'At the end of the day, we are professionals. We know that maintaining a good relationship within the team, and working well together on track, benefits us both. Sometimes tensions rise and we go over the limit, but a conversation to reset everything always does the trick.'

Hope for Austria

As Ferrari gears up for the next race in Austria, Leclerc remains hopeful about the team's prospects, especially after underwhelming performances in Montreal and Barcelona. 'I feel the potential is in the car. We just need to optimize our package and we’ll be back to where we want,' Leclerc explained. 'The conditions in Montreal weren't ideal for us, and in Barcelona, we simply weren't fast enough.'

Adding a hopeful note, he said, 'The preparation on the simulator for Austria went well, so I feel confident we’ll be back in the fight.'

The Ferrari duo's ability to navigate their relationships, both on and off the track, while striving for better performance in races reflects their professional resilience. As the F1 calendar moves towards Austria, all eyes will be on Leclerc and Sainz to see how they perform and manage their interactions.

For Ferrari fans, it's a wait-and-see game, but one that's tinged with optimism. Could the Scuderia find its stride again? With Leclerc’s reassurances and a renewed focus, Ferrari might just have a fighting chance.