“We both wanna win”: Carlos Sainz reflects on relationship with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari
Carlos Sainz said that the rapport he shares with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari would be difficult to replicate with future teammates. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, in Qatar, the outgoing Ferrari driver reflected on the dynamic he and Leclerc shared during their four years as teammates. He noted that while their relationship was marked by ups and downs, it was forged in the unique environment of a highly competitive Ferrari team.
Sainz, who has previously raced alongside Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Nico Hulkenberg, will join Williams in 2025 to partner Alex Albon. However, he claimed that the connection he developed with Leclerc was distinct because both drivers were performing at a similar level in one of the most competitive cars on the grid. Sainz emphasized that the spotlight of driving for Ferrari amplified the intensity of their rivalry and the nuances of their relationship.
He further explained that their close performance levels often resulted in fierce yet respectful competition, with both drivers pushing each other to deliver their best every weekend. Sainz acknowledged that the natural differences in their approach stemmed from their competitive nature and the immense pressure to meet Ferrari’s high expectations. Despite the challenges, he values the dynamic they shared and believes it will remain a significant chapter in his career.
Asked by Sportskeeda how difficult it would be to replicate the rapport he has with Leclerc with Albon, Carlos Sainz replied:
“I think with Charles we've had it the toughest. Because we’ve been put together in Ferrari at a time where Ferrari also has been relatively competitive. We've been fighting for wins. We've been fighting for podiums and we’ve found each other both at a very high level of driving and both at a very high level but also under very high pressure. Because it's Ferrari and we both want to win and I think it's never been as tough because when I was in McLaren or when I was in Toro Rosso, when I was in Renault. I wasn't fighting for wins and I wasn't driving for Ferrari and all these things combined obviously, they add to adding maybe a little bit more eyes on you, you have also a bit more pressure and you're obviously gonna have to go through those tough moments."
"And if on top of that, as I said before, you have to coexist for four years at the same time that you're P4 and P5, P2 and P3, P1 and P2, and having to do every start, every safety car restart, every qualifying, every swap, every pit stop next to each other, and having to race each other at the same time that your teammates. Then for sure because there's gonna be ups and downs and I find it very natural in a way,” he added.
Carlos Sainz says he will miss Charles Leclerc as a teammate, both personally and professionally
Carlos Sainz said that he would miss having Charles Leclerc as his teammate, highlighting the strong rapport they shared both personally and professionally. Speaking in Qatar, the outgoing Ferrari driver reflected on his four-year partnership with Leclerc, noting that while their professional relationship had its ups and downs, their bond remained consistently strong.
Sainz expressed how much he enjoyed working alongside the Monegasque driver, cherishing the memories and camaraderie they built during their time together at Ferrari. He emphasized that their connection was genuine, both on and off the track, and expressed disappointment over the perception among some fans on social media that their rapport was merely a public relations tactic.
The Spanish driver stated that he takes pride in the achievements they accomplished together as teammates and values the respect and friendship they cultivated. As he prepares to begin a new chapter at Williams in 2025, Sainz emphasized that his time with Leclerc would remain a special and significant part of his career.
Asked if he would miss working with Leclerc as a teammate, Carlos Sainz said:
“Yeah, and I honestly keep seeing sometimes in social media that people believe it's not true and it's all PR and that honestly disappoints me. Because people cannot sometimes understand that we have a professional relationship and in that professional relationship we go through ups and downs. And as competitive as we are we're always going to have some issues on track, because again if he would be P1 and I would be P8 or vice versa we would never have issues. But unfortunately or let's say fortunately for the team we're always in the same point at the track, and we're having our little issues here and there.”
Reflecting on his personal rapport with Leclerc, Sainz said:
“But then we also have a personal relationship and as much as the professional one goes through ups and downs, the personal one I can tell you it's always been really really good. It's one of those guys that I know in the future when I'm not in Formula 1, I’ll look back and say I'm glad I met him and I'm glad I raced with him and I'm glad I can have a lot of good memories with him. And in these four years in Ferrari, I've enjoyed every single moment with him. Even the tough ones, as much as they've been tough, I'm pretty sure in 20, 30 years, I'll laugh about them and look back with being proud of what we've achieved together.”
Sainz and Charles Leclerc have formed one of the closest and most competitive driver pairings on the grid in recent years. Since joining Ferrari in 2021, the duo have been instrumental in the team’s resurgence to the top of Formula 1, consistently delivering strong performances. During his four-year stint with the Maranello outfit, Sainz secured four race wins and 24 podiums, playing a key role in Ferrari’s progress.
However, with Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari in 2025, Sainz will part ways with the team and embark on a new chapter in his career with Williams. The Grove-based outfit is undergoing a transformation, aiming to re-establish itself as a front-running team in the coming years. For the former Red Bull driver, this transition presents an exciting challenge as he looks to contribute his experience and talent to the team’s ambitious project over the next two seasons.