Charles Leclerc has pledged to set aside his frustrations with Carlos Sainz following their contentious clash at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver, who was left furious after being undercut by his Ferrari teammate despite assurances of no intra-team pressure, has now committed to working collaboratively to give Ferrari their best shot at clinching the Constructors’ Championship.
Las Vegas Controversy Sparks Tensions
Leclerc’s frustration boiled over during the Las Vegas GP when Sainz, given strategic preference, overtook him in the closing stages of the race. Feeling blindsided, Leclerc erupted over the team radio:
“Being nice fks me over all the fking time.”
The situation grew so tense that Ferrari’s team boss had to intervene, with Leclerc demanding that Sainz’s compliance with team orders be reiterated in Spanish.
Leclerc: ‘We’ve Moved On’
Heading into the Qatar Grand Prix, Leclerc emphasized that he and Sainz have resolved their differences for the greater good of the team:
“We have a really good relationship with Carlos. Sometimes I’ve overstepped the line, and sometimes he has,” Leclerc admitted. “But we’ve known each other for a long time, and we understand each other very quickly.
“We need each other to win the Constructors’. Opportunities like this don’t happen very often, and we have to do everything on both sides to make it happen.”
The Constructors’ Battle Intensifies
Ferrari trails McLaren by 24 points in the Constructors’ Championship heading into Qatar, with 77 points still available across the final two races. Both teams are vying for their first Constructors’ crown in decades—Ferrari since 2008 and McLaren since 1998.
Leclerc recognizes the stakes:
“It’s a chance for both of us. By working as a team, we can maybe achieve that.”
A Positive Season Amid Challenges
Leclerc remains optimistic despite the ups and downs of 2024, citing Ferrari’s progress as a silver lining:
“I always say second is the first of the losers,” he quipped. “But second place in a year like this would mean a lot because it hasn’t been an easy year.
“We maximized points and minimized losses compared to the previous year. It’s been a positive season, and we’re heading in the right direction.”
Looking Ahead to Qatar
The Ferrari duo faces a tall order in Qatar, but Leclerc is ready to put the team first. While his personal goal of finishing second in the Drivers’ Championship remains, he is adamant that securing the Constructors’ title takes precedence.
“Whatever happened in Vegas, we’ve discussed it, and it’s all good now. It’s clear—we want to win the Constructors’.”
Ferrari’s Moment of Truth
With just two races remaining, the battle between Ferrari and McLaren for second place is poised to go down to the wire. For Ferrari, success will depend on whether Leclerc and Sainz can maintain their truce and deliver the performances needed to overturn McLaren’s advantage.
