Ferrari boss sends a clear message to Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GP: Reports
Recent reports claim that Frederic Vasseur summoned both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to convey a stern message to work together in the last two races of the season. This comment was made after their back-and-forth tussle at the 2024 F1 Las Vegas GP.
In the first few laps of the race, Leclerc tried to overtake George Russell but later lost ground because of issues with his medium tires. Later in the race, both Ferrari drivers were asked to switch positions after Leclerc's first pitstop. However, this was quite tricky because Lewis Hamilton was chasing Leclerc. Sainz had to defend against Hamilton and still give his teammate the position.
Sainz experienced some of his own challenges during the race. The 30-year-old had to quickly return to the racetrack after being told to stay out on the track just as he was ready to enter the pits with Hamilton.
In the latter stages, Charles Leclerc came out of the pits after his last pitstop but was overtaken by Carlos Sainz, who was on fresher tires.
These dubious strategic calls and overtaking and re-overtaking did not sit well with both drivers. According to reports by Italian journalist, Leo Turrini, Ferrari team boss Frederic Vassuer summoned both drivers after the race. He reportedly said that no one expected the two to be good friends, but the Italian giants expected them to work together in the last two races for the constructors' championship.
"Frederic Vasseur immediately summoned Leclerc and Sainz after the race, and sent a clear message to both drivers: 'Nobody is asking you to be best friends, you still have two weekends to spend together and Ferrari expects, even demands, loyal collaboration. Because the constructors' world championship is at stake and giving up the remaining hopes in the name of individual whims would be intolerable'," the report read.
Charles Leclerc remains tight-lipped regarding the incidents with Carlos Sainz at the 2024 F1 Las Vegas GP
Charles Leclerc was tight-lipped about the on-track incidents that took place between him and Carlos Sainz. He maintained that he and his teammate will discuss matters behind closed doors with the team. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said that athough it was a frustrating race for him, he felt he did his job well by fighting with Russell and strategically allowing Sainz to pass due to tire wear.
“Frustrating, yes, however it doesn’t change anything for the team. It’s okay. I think I did my part on the first stint obviously. When I had the tyres that were completely gone, I didn’t want to fight at that point, I let Carlos by. The rest we will discuss within the team,” Leclerc said. (via F1.com)
Charles Leclerc is currently third in the driver's standings with 319 points to his credit, while Carlos Sainz is in fifth place with 259 points to his name.