Villeneuve: Sainz is the 'real danger' for Leclerc

©Ferrari

Jacques Villeneuve welcomes Ferrari's improved performance this season, but the 1997 F1 world champion sees a big battle brewing between Scuderia teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Ferrari's chassis and engine departments doubled down on their efforts to produce a sold package this season after last year's miserable campaign, one of the worst in the Scuderia's history.

In Bahrain, in the opening race weekend of 2021, there were tangible signs that Ferrari has indeed achieved a step forward with its SF21 although team boss Mattia Binotto admitted the Italian outfit's car was still "lacking in all areas".

Speaking to Italy's Corriere della Sera, Villeneuve says he took note of Ferrari's progress but suggested that Imola next week will offer more insight into the team's real improvement.

©Ferrari

In Bahrain, Leclerc qualified fourth, or four places better than Sainz, while the Monegasque finished 6th on race day, with his teammate crossing the checkered flag P8 after undergoing what Sainz himself described as a cautious start.

Villeneuve believes the Spaniard might well be a thorn in Leclerc's side this season.

"For Charles, the real danger is Sainz," contended the Canadian who celebrates his 50th birthday on this day, April 9.

Asked to elaborate on his comment, the eleven-time Grand Prix winner said: "Because Carlos has never been in such an important team.

"He has built himself up over time, he comes with grit and experience, he is used to dealing with fast team-mates.

"He’s cold, he analyses, he can be very annoying for Charles."

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

Villeneuve also offered his outlook on this year's world championship, and believes Red Bull holds an edge over Mercedes even though it lost out to the Brackley outfit in Bahrain.

"Red Bull have a great car, but they are used to being up front and they got surprised in Bahrain – they had the win in the bag and managed to lose," he said.

"Verstappen also has a different kind of pressure – he can’t make a mistake."

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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.