Charles Leclerc on relationship with Sainz: ‘We’ll spend a lot time off…….read more
Charles Leclerc has expressed his gratitude for the positive relationship he shared with Carlos Sainz during their time as Ferrari teammates, despite the competitive nature of Formula 1 racing. As the 2025 season approaches, Leclerc is set to compete alongside Lewis Hamilton at Scuderia Ferrari, marking the end of his partnership with Sainz. The decision to bring in Hamilton for the upcoming season has led to Sainz leaving Ferrari and joining Williams, where he will race alongside Alexander Albon.
In a recent interview, Leclerc spoke candidly about his experiences with Sainz, emphasizing the mutual respect and camaraderie they shared both on and off the track. “Honestly, I’ve had an incredible relationship with Carlos,” Leclerc remarked. “Really in terms of person, he’s such a good person, we’ve always had a really, really good relationship.” He acknowledged that, like any competitive teammates, they had their moments of tension on the track, especially when the races were close and the stakes were high. However, Leclerc noted that such moments were natural in the heat of competition, particularly when both drivers were pushing to perform at their best for Ferrari.
Despite any on-track disagreements, Leclerc believes that their bond remained strong. “At the end we are all racing for Ferrari but we’re also racing to try and win races, and when we are so close on track sometimes there are things that are not going to be agreed by both parties,” Leclerc explained. “But I think the thing I’ll remember is that every time there was these kinds of things we always got out of it stronger and closer together.” This speaks to the mutual understanding and professionalism that Leclerc and Sainz maintained throughout their partnership, despite the inherent challenges of working in such a high-pressure environment.
Looking ahead, Leclerc is optimistic about maintaining his friendship with Sainz, even though they will no longer be teammates. Despite the Spaniard’s move to Williams for 2025, Leclerc expects their relationship to continue beyond the Ferrari garage. “I’m sure that even though he won’t be in red next year, we’ll most likely still travel together to the races to spend some time together,” Leclerc said. “Our relationship is really good, and I wish him the best.”
As Sainz prepares for his new chapter at Williams, Leclerc’s words reflect the respect and positive connection they shared during their time together at Ferrari. Their bond extends beyond the race track, with the two drivers planning to continue their friendship in the future, even as they compete for separate teams.
