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Leclerc and Sainz vow to sort out differences with 'frankness and maturity'

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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have vowed to sort out any on-track incidents that may occur between them with "frankness and maturity" although both drivers hope their rivalry will remain void of any run-ins.

Leclerc enjoyed a good relationship with former Scuderia teammate Sebastian Vettel during the two seasons the pair spent together.

But there were nevertheless a couple of high-profile flash points between the two Ferrari chargers, in Brazil in 2019 and in the opening round of the 2020 season in Austria.

On both occasions, Leclerc and Vettel were taken to task by Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, but ultimately, they succeeded in maintaining a harmonious relationship.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport's magazine, Sport Week, both drivers were asked how they would cope with an on-track clash with each other.

"It can always happen, for sure," admitted Leclerc. "But I’m used to distinguishing between the episodes that happen on track and the ones that happen off the track.

"I’m sure Carlos is similar to me from this point of view. So if there will be any misunderstanding, we will talk about that with frankness. Considering our relationship, we won’t have any problems."

"It depends on the situation," replied Sainz. "Usually there’s always a driver who is more to blame than the other one.

"I hope we will be mature enough to admit that, if it will happen – but I think we won’t arrive at that point.

"We know the priority is to bring back Ferrari at the top of the grid, and not the battles between us."

Read also: Button sees 'engineer' Sainz soon getting closer to Leclerc

Sainz's move to Ferrari has led to the Scuderia fielding its youngest line-up since 1968, when Jacky Ickx and Chris Amon raced for the House of Maranello.

But Ferrari's current pairing believes their youthful relationship can prove a strong asset to the Italian outfit.

"First of all, the motivation," Leclerc put forth. "We want to give our best and this is something everybody in the factory has seen.

"Then we also work well together, focusing the efforts in the same direction. There’s a constant change of information between us and our demands are the same. So the team knows exactly where to focus."

Sainz was on the same page as the 23-year-old Monegasque.

"We are motivated by the wish to bring back Ferrari to win, which is a motivation few drivers have. I feel the team is already on the right path."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.