Leclerc is keen to reassure everyone: no problem with Sainz after the Spanish GP. The two drivers of the prancing horse had come into contact during the early stages of the race, with the Monegasque coming off the worst. After the race Leclerc showed himself to the cameras resentful of the behavior suffered by Sainz, directing rather harsh criticism at him. Before the Austrian GP, however, the situation between the two seems to have made peace, so much so that they returned from Barcelona together by plane.
Leclerc with Sainz and the contact he had in Catalonia
Ferrari enters the Austrian weekend with more doubts than certainties. After the disaster in Canada, not even Spain was able to give Leclerc and Sainz any important satisfaction, with the latter ending the home grand prix in a very disappointing sixth place. In the first part of the race, however, Carlos Sainz proved to be faster than his teammate, attempting a bold overtaking on the outside at the first corner. Leclerc had judged his teammate's move as not correct, especially because, after the contact, he had reported gods damage to the front wing, which at the end of the race slowed him down in the chase for the fourth position occupied by George Russell.
Leclerc: “Sainz and I returned from Barcelona together”
There was much discussion regarding the post-race statements of the two Ferrari drivers, who had criticized each other each other. However, everything seems to have been resolved in the best way with Leclerc who released the following statements regarding what happened with Sainz: "It's all right, we discussed as always and there are no problems: we have known each other for years, we know that after the race there is always a lot of tension, but then everything settles down and I have no worries about what will happen from now on. We flew back together after Barcelona." An important relaxing signal given by Leclerc, which will certainly help the team to work harder peacefulness.
Leclerc and Sainz ready to get back on top in Austria
Ferrari absolutely needs to find itself. In Spain and Canada, in fact he sadly held the role of fourth force, behind McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes. Leclerc, as reported by the Journal of Sport, it was said confident for the future: "The gap in qualifying was just a few tenths, but the potential is there and by optimizing the package we will return to fighting because the preparation in the simulator went well and I feel that we can get back into contention." In short, the number 16 seems to have already put the difficulties he had with Sainz and the performance of his car behind him, appearing optimistic for the Austrian GP: “in Barcelona we struggled in the longer and slower corners, while here in Austria there are fewer of them and this could help us”.
Between Leclerc and Sainz, therefore, no problem. Their relationship remains intact and peaceful, despite the natural rivalry that flows between two such fast teammates. The only obstacles to victory will be represented by the their opponents.
SOURCE: Gazzetta dello Sport
