Leclerc and Sainz collided during the third lap of the 2024 Spanish F1 Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz denied disregarding a pre-race agreement to not overtake his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, in last weekend’s Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix. Leclerc was furious when Sainz passed him at Turn 1, going against what he believed was an understanding to maintain positions in the early stages of the race. The Monegasque driver explained after the race that a conversation between the drivers and the team had concluded with a decision for them to manage their tires in certain corners. However, Sainz took advantage of his teammate’s slower pace to make a move at the first corner, resulting in contact and minimal damage for Leclerc. Leclerc eventually regained his position ahead of Sainz through a team order, but lamented the time lost at the start of the race as he nearly missed the chance to overtake Mercedes’ George Russell and secure fourth place. A week later, Sainz remains steadfast in his denial of any pre-race agreement and cites his obedience to the team order as proof of his compliance. When asked in Austria if Leclerc’s revelation about the agreement was true, Sainz refused to comment. He stated that if he made the move, it was because he believed there was no team order to maintain his position. Sainz emphasized his history of following team orders and expressed his willingness to discuss whether his move was the right decision.
Leclerc was also furious with Sainz’s behavior during their collision in the China Sprint earlier this season, but has since denied that their relationship has worsened.
Meanwhile, the Spaniard argued that occasional conflicts are inevitable throughout a season when both drivers are consistently racing in the same parts of the track.
“I believe that with Charles, clearly it is not the first disagreement and certainly it will not be the last, because I think we always have one or two clashes per year, as it is completely normal and natural when you have two drivers sharing the same stretch of road for 24 races,” explained Sainz.
“We are always starting in positions 1 and 2, 2 and 1, 4 and 5, 5 and 6. There are starts, strategies, overtakes, and with two competitive individuals like him and me, who fortunately for the team are racing on the same part of the road every race, there will always be small conflicts. And these small conflicts will always be present.
“Of course, you want to minimize them and the important thing is that, after four years with Charles, our relationship has always been good.
“We always resolve these small conflicts between ourselves, without the intervention of team leaders, always discussing among ourselves.
“Sometimes, I would prefer to keep them away from the public eye because it benefits neither of us, and that is probably the biggest mistake. But other than that, we are doing our best.”
