Leclerc: Rumors of tensions with Sainz 'blown out of proportion'

Charles Leclerc says recent suggestions that tensions have crept in at Ferrari between Carlos Sainz and himself have been "blown out of proportion".

At last month's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a tense radio exchange in qualifying between Leclerc and the Scuderia's pitwall reflected the Monegasque's exasperation with his teammate.

Sainz was at risk of missing the cut at the end of Q1 and was determined to get out and set his final flying lap time before there were any more incidents or rain to prevent him.

But team orders dictated that the Spaniard cede track position and remain behind Leclerc, which he failed to do, which triggered an angry reaction from the latter.

Sainz responded by saying that it was unfair for him to sacrifice his tyre temperatures by remaining behind Leclerc while he was the one that was at risk of not making the Q2 cut.

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While minor, the spat wasn't the first between the two drivers. In Melbourne, Leclerc was unhappy because he had not received a tow from Sainz in qualifying.

In Austria, it was the Spaniard who was frustrated that Ferrari had not ordered Leclerc to move aside when he had been on the tail of the latter early in the race.

Eventually, the on-track fusses led to speculation that tensions were growing between Leclerc and Sainz. But the former ensures that there are no dissensions at the Scuderia between the two contenders.

"I am quite active on social media, so I see what’s been said all around," Leclerc told Motorsport.com.

"It’s blown out of proportion, I think, with Carlos. We have a great relationship.

"Outside the car, we know how to work together, and we get on really well together because we share lots of interests.

"At the same time, there’s a lot of competitiveness in between us two. But we are in Formula 1, and I love the sport because there’s competitiveness. I think it’s great to have that."

Leclerc said that there are inevitable moments of strain and stress over the radio when things don't go according to plan.

"Sometimes there’s a bit of discussion over the radio on some situations," he explained.

"But it is just because we are competitive, and we both want to do the absolute best result possible. These are things that are normal.

"I think it also comes with being a Ferrari driver and being under the spotlight, probably more often than others. But that’s fine.

"In the end, within the team, we know that we have a good relationship and we are working towards the same goals."

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