Sainz: F1 drivers manipulate their public personas

Carlos Sainz has revealed an intriguing truth about Formula 1’s stars: the public “image” they project may not always reflect who they truly are.

In the high-charged and meticulously documented world of Formula 1, drivers are some of the most scrutinized athletes on the planet.

With every race weekend packed with press conferences, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, fans may feel they know the individuals behind the helmets.

But Sainz suggests that the personalities fans see on television and in interviews may not be the complete picture, revealing that drivers consciously shape their public personas.

“As a driver, you can always play with how you are viewed from the outside,” the Williams driver told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

“I’m not saying that Max [Verstappen] isn’t like that. Lando [Norris] has decided to reveal a bit more about himself. I don’t know if I’m somewhere in between or more in one direction.

“But, as I said, one should be careful with such analyses. Drivers are quite capable of manipulating the public image in a certain way.”

This acknowledgment sheds light on a nuanced aspect of the sport: the dichotomy between the private individual and the public persona.

While fans often dissect interviews and social media posts to form opinions, Sainz’s comments suggest that such portrayals may not always be the full story.

The Unseen Dynamics Between Teammates

A more accurate insight into an F1 driver’s character might lie not in their curated media presence, but in the words of their colleagues.

The relationship at Ferrari between Sainz and teammate Charles Leclerc has always come across – publicly – as harmonious and very friendly. And generally, the true rapport between the two drivers has fit this description.

• Read also: Ferrari gifts Sainz 2022 British GP winning SF-75

However, outside of the spotlight, the rivalry was extremely intense and all-consuming as Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur revealed.

“I have never in all my time of racing seen two team-mates so intensely preoccupied with what the other one is doing,” Vasseur said, quoted by Motor Sport Magazine.

“They were incredible in how hard they were pushing each other – out of the car too, in how much work they were putting in. I really believe that competitive fight between them has brought us performance.”

This mutual drive for excellence contributed to Ferrari’s impressive resurgence in the 2024 season. Sainz and Leclerc scored a combined 652 points, securing five victories for the Scuderia and battling McLaren fiercely for the Constructors’ Championship.

Though Ferrari ultimately fell short by just 14 points, their success against a dominant Red Bull outfit – which secured nine wins last year – was a testament to the team’s growth.

Farewell Messages of Respect and Gratitude

Sainz’s comments about the malleable nature of public perception offer a new lens through which to view F1’s personalities.

While fans may continue to interpret drivers’ media appearances and on-track personas, the truth behind the scenes is often more complex.

For Sainz, Leclerc, and their peers, the interplay between authenticity and image is part of navigating the pressures of life in the spotlight.

However, when it comes to the two former Ferrari teammates, a genuine authenticity seems to inhabit their relationship.

As 2024 came to a close, Sainz and Leclerc took to social media to exchange heartfelt messages reflecting on their time together at the Scuderia.

The Spaniard, who will be moving on to new challenges in 2025, expressed his gratitude for the partnership.

“It’s been an amazing four years fighting together for Ferrari, @charles_leclerc,” Sainz wrote on Instagram.

“Thank you for all the great moments we’ve shared along the way. Wishing you nothing but the best for next year and beyond!”

Leclerc’s response was equally gracious, highlighting the respect and camaraderie between the two drivers.

“Thank you mate. I wish you all the very best too. Was so good to be pushing each other so much race after race,” Leclerc replied.

“Learnt so much from you and the way we have worked together in these past years. So many great moments shared that I will look back at proud and happy to have shared them with you.”

As the sport enters a new season, the human legacy of Sainz and Leclerc’s partnership will endure, a reminder of the power of competition to drive both individual and team success.

Yet, in the public eye, fans may always wonder: how much of what they see truly reflects the driver, and how much is carefully chosen to suit the moment?

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