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Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have by no means fought one another for the world title in F1, but when they did the Spaniard thinks it might be an in depth struggle between the pair.
Sadly, Ferrari’s hopes of fielding a championship profitable automotive this season did not materialize.
From the outset, the Scuderia was outpaced – like its rivals – by Crimson Bull’s commanding RB19, with no means to struggle again, not to mention meet up with the bulls’ supreme machine.
Nevertheless, Ferrari’s improvement work has introduced the workforce in rivalry for the runner-up spot within the championship, a place at the moment held by Mercedes with a 28-point benefit over the Italian outfit.
Within the Drivers’ standings, Sainz has thus far outscored Leclerc, however solely a mere 8 factors separate the 2 drivers.
Final 12 months, Leclerc had a reasonably comfy higher hand over his teammate. However Sainz has step by step raised his sport by way of each absolute pace and in race administration as his pole place and subsequent win in Singapore emphatically demonstrated.
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Final month’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza the place the pair went wheel-to-wheel within the closing phases of the race, with Sainz popping out on prime, provided a sneak peak of kinds on the shut contest the 2 drivers would take pleasure in in the event that they have been battling for the most important prize of all, the world title.
“Charles and I typically discover ourselves shut,” commented Sainz in the course of the latest Pageant dello Sport.
“We haven’t fought for the title, however for a 3rd place in Monza or a pole, sure, and it wouldn’t be a lot totally different for a championship.
“We had three years to coach and get to know one another, and we all know the respect between us.”
“All of us push in the identical route. We now have at all times believed we might win, and we by no means gave up. It’s this drive that makes me say Ferrari is in the precise place to win.”
To this point, Sainz and Leclerc have loved a productive working relationship on the observe and a very good rapport off it.
“We regularly do occasions and interviews collectively, and we snigger lots,” he stated; “There’s definitely a very good relationship.
“After we can, we additionally name Lando [Norris] and different drivers to play golf.”
Sainz and Leclerc are contracted to Ferrari till the tip of 2024. Each drivers anticipate to have interaction in discussions with their workforce about their long-term future by the tip of the 12 months, or instantly after.
For now, plainly Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur is eager on preserving his line-up unchanged past 2024, a 12 months forward of F1
“I belief them lots,” stated the Frenchman, whose sole mission is to supply his drivers with a championship profitable automotive. “I see them as trustworthy and dedicated to the workforce.
“The necessary factor is to construct the longer term collectively. Drivers are a part of the efficiency.
“We now have two glorious, nice, and aggressive drivers. We now have mentioned it, and they’re professionals. They know the place the boundaries are, however they’ve carried out a unbelievable job thus far.”
Vasseur readily acknowledged Sainz’s step ahead this season.
“You may see that Carlos is part of this setting,” he added. “He’s tenacious, and we see it in each lap he takes.
“This 12 months, he labored arduous on some issues that slowed him down, and he modified his method after Monza. In sports activities, expertise just isn’t sufficient. You’ll want to preserve enhancing, and Carlos has this mentality.”
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