Leclerc sets record straight on ‘wrong headlines' regarding Sainz

Charles Leclerc recently vented his frustrations with the media for misrepresenting his comments about former Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz, emphasizing the strong bond the two shared during their four seasons together at Ferrari.

Sainz’s departure from Ferrari to join Williams in 2025, following the Scuderia’s decision to replace the Spaniard with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, marked the end of a competitive yet harmonious partnership with Leclerc.

In Qatar earlier this month, the Monegasque was asked if he would miss his teammate: “I’ve said it many times, on one hand, it’s not like I’m going miss him like crazy, because he will still be in the paddock, maybe 20 metres away.”

However, Leclerc’s simple observation, meant to acknowledge that their professional paths would still intersect, was spun by some media outlets into a narrative of indifference, even animosity.

A week later in Abu Dhabi, as the paddock prepared for the winter break, Leclerc, never one to shy away from media interactions, felt a pressing need to address his comment which he felt had been twisted and misrepresented.

• Read also: Sainz reflects on ‘shock and hurt’ of Ferrari exit

“I’ve seen some wrong headlines in the past few days,” the Ferrari driver said.

“My words have been put a little bit out of context. Especially in the fact that I won’t miss Carlos. I was just saying that because he’s 20 meters away in the paddock.

“Honestly, I’ve had an incredible relationship with Carlos. Really, in terms of person, he’s such a good person. We’ve always had a really, really good relationship.”

The emphasis on “really, really good” underscored the depth of the two drivers’ bond and which had been completely obscured by the misleading headlines.

Leclerc didn't deny the occasional tensions that had arisen on track with Sainz. After all, they were two highly competitive drivers, both striving for victory within the same team.

He alluded to specific incidents, like the heated moments during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which had seen Leclerc express his frustration over the radio.

“Yes, we’ve had our tensions on the track sometimes but it’s normal,” he acknowledged.

“At the end, we are both racing for Ferrari, but we’re also racing to try and win races. When we are so close on track, sometimes there are things that are not going to be agreed by both parties.”

But he was quick to point out that these on-track rivalries never soured their personal relationship. In fact, they often had the opposite effect.

“I think the thing I’ll remember is that every time there was this kind of thing, we always got out a bit stronger and closer together,” he added.

“We have a really, really good relationship. We also have a lot of things that we share outside the track.

“I’m sure that even though [Sainz] won’t be in red next year, we’ll most likely travel together on the races to spend some time together.

“Because our relationship is really good. So yes, I wish him the best.”

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