In a 2023 season unquestionably dominated by Max Verstappen, which of the two red drivers was the best on the track, Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz? In the 22 races this year there were different ups and downs for both drivers of the Ferrari, which however are always been very close.
2023 season closed: it's time to move on
Unlike 2022, in which Leclerc won 3 of the first 4 races, the two drivers of the Scuderia di Maranello they couldn't fight from the beginning of this season against Red Bull, which immediately proved unattainable. In short, 2023 disappointing for the SF-23, which should have been better than the F1-75, but the little competitiveness, unit to unpredictability, they made it difficult to drive during the season for both Leclerc and Sainz.
I progress achieved after the summer break give us hope for 2024. The Vasseur said in that Ferrari's head is already turned to next season, also revealing his obiettivo: approach as much as possible Red Bull. Fans though, don't worry because Leclerc asked, in his letter to Santa Claus, a single-seater as fast as its sled and who knows if this wish will be fulfilled on the most magical night of the year.
The Monegasque dominates in qualifying
Sainz is in his third season at Ferrari and since he and the Monegasque have been teammates only in 2021 has Carlos managed to score more points than Charles. In 2022 the came counter-response di Leclerc, who not only placed ahead of the Madrilenian in the drivers' standings, but obtained the second of the same. This year instead they always have been very close, with the number #16 leading by only 6 points in the standings and a great one Sainz who managed to bring Ferrari to the top step of the podium, thus interrupting the dominance of the Milton Keynes team.
Looking at the results provided by the track, it emerges how Charles Leclerc excels in the flying lap, with 5nd pole position obtained this year, one of which inherited due to the penalty inflicted on Max. Le pole position for Carlos instead they are two, consecutive and important, that of Monza and that of Singapore, which then transformed intoonly victory for the Red team in this season.
Leclerc stood out in qualifying compared to Sainz this 2023 season, getting a best starting position on the grid on 15 different occasions, against the Spaniard's 7. Considering the consistency of the result in qualifying instead, Sainz he placed himself in top 5 a total of 15 times, while the Monegasque makes this result amount to 16.
Is Sainz really better than Leclerc in the race? The results of the 2023 season
If the gap in qualification is evident, That in the race it is almost flawless. Charles has finished 11 races ahead to his teammate – not taking into account the race in Qatar in which Sainz did not start and of the Austin GP from which the Monegasque he was disqualified.
Again Leclerc wins, which ends 11 races in the top 5, while i Carlos' top 5 finishes total 10. The best result obtained in the race goes to Sainz, which he conquered the only victory not by Red Bull of the 2023 season in Singapore, instead the best result obtained by Leclerc is the second. Sul podium, Charles and Carlos, went up there respectively 6 and 3 times.
The season didn't start in the best way for Leclerc, but in the second part he managed to redeem himself, finding an excellent feeling with the car which allowed him to overtake his partner in the drivers' standings and win the 5th place with 206 points. The points for Sainz they are instead 200, but it could have been more if it hadn't been for the retreat at Yas Marina that it is cost a lot, given that from 5th position in the standings he found himself 7th, behind Norris.
In conclusion we cannot help but say that Leclerc always has something more compared to number #55, the track shows it, but it's the same it is undeniable that this Sainz is the strongest ever seen so far!
