Charles Leclerc furious with Carlos Sainz: Spaniard’s move prompts discussion
Ferrari’s unexciting Saturday, in addition to Lewis Hamilton failing to make it through the first phase of qualifying for the Qatar Sprint, must also record Charles Leclerc’s ninth place at the end of timed practice, which was affected by Carlos Sainz’s on-track behavior that sent the Monegasque driver into a rage. Specifically, according to Leclerc, his former teammate deliberately slowed down whoever was behind him, namely the Ferrari driver himself, to disrupt his attempt at a fast lap-a move that Leclerc commented on harshly over the radio and, later, during end-of-day interviews.
“Sainz is messing with us – said Leclerc over the radio while talking to his track engineer, Bryan Bozzi -He puts those behind him in trouble by slowing down so much before Safety Car Line 2. Unbelievable what he did, tomorrow I do the same with him and we will see”. At the microphones of Sky Sports, Leclerc recoiled: “We are not happy with so many things but the potential to finish in the top five was there’was there. Unfortunately, as I was preparing the’last attempt, whoever was in front of me slowed down, I could not recreate the gap and started the lap too close to him”.
“I was certainly disturbed – added Leclerc again -. Of course, it is part of the game but it is a pity it went like that. Tomorrow, in the Sprint race, I still want to give my all and duel on the track trying to make up as many positions as possible”. Leclerc, back from two race weekends off the podium, wants to return to a smile in Qatar but will see starting in front of him, in the’order, Oscar Piastri (McLaren), George Russell (Mercedes), Lando Norris (McLaren), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Yuki Tsunoda, Max Verstappen (both Red Bull), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) himself, whose behavior on the track has divided fans and insiders between those who called it bordering on sportsmanship and those, on the other hand, the result of a legitimate strategy.
