Carlos Sainz emerged as the only Ferrari driver to secure a Formula 1 victory since 2023. The previous triumph by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz occurred in 2022. After an unsuccessful attempt to win the championship in 2022, Leclerc has struggled to challenge Red Bull. In contrast, 26-year-old Sainz has achieved two wins in the past year, including the most recent one. Consequently, Leclerc openly expressed his genuine feelings about this situation.
When asked about his feelings regarding Sainz’s two victories in a short period of time, Leclerc admitted that it was painful to witness his teammate on the top step of the podium. However, he also acknowledged the importance of these wins in terms of motivating the Scuderia. Nevertheless, the Monegasque driver personally admitted to feeling disappointed with the situation. Leclerc confessed that he was not performing at his best during the Singapore and Australia races, which resulted in missed opportunities for victory.
When questioned about the reason for his defeat in both races, Leclerc agreed that the deficit in qualifying played a significant role in his performance in the Grand Prix. He specifically mentioned making the wrong choice during the qualifying session in Singapore, which prevented him from challenging for the win in Marina Bay. Furthermore, Leclerc admitted to having an even worse session in Australia, leading to unfavorable results in both weekends. Consequently, Leclerc now faces the challenge of proving that Ferrari’s decision to extend his contract instead of keeping Sainz was the right choice, as the Spanish driver will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton next season.
Previously, Leclerc had an advantage over his teammates in terms of one-lap pace. However, it seems that the 26-year-old driver needs to make an effort to regain his previous form. However, the Scuderia continues to trust Leclerc, and it remains to be seen how he will perform in the upcoming races.
