Charles Leclerc Aims to Avoid Being “Too Aggressive” With Carlos Sainz for Ferrari’s Greater Good

The 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix season was jam-packed with thrilling events, including an exhilarating race in which anticipation soared as Carlos Sainz lit up the track with his intense driving. Spectators grabbed their seats tightly as the dynamic duo of Ferrari engaged in a thrilling battle, going wheel-to-wheel in this season’s opener.

Scuderia Ferrari kicked off the season opener with the Spaniard clinching third place and Charles Leclerc finishing in fourth. Despite the intense battle on the track, he opted not to push too hard for his team.

Charles Leclerc’s balancing act for Ferrari’s betterment 

Carlos Sainz Jr. isn’t typically recognized as an aggressive driver. However, in Bahrain, a newly found intensity appeared to have sparked within him. His impending departure from his team could have triggered this behavior shift at the season’s end. Furthermore, the Spaniard remains uncertain about securing the seat in 2025, so he was compelled to prove himself.

The Monegasque started second, and the Spaniard was fourth. The 26-year-old Leclerc’s race was soon thrown into disarray because of multiple brake problems. As a result, his position dropped when he approached turn 2. In the meantime, Sainz executed a bold move by driving inside turn 1, thereby forcing him to yield on the outside.

During the 2023 championship, the Ferrari duo engaged in a similar rivalry. However, in 2024, the Monegasque driver refrained from pushing his limits to maintain a delicate balance between competitiveness and cooperation, aiming to boost the team’s potential. At a recent press conference at the F1 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, they addressed Drive to Survive’s portrayal of their wheel-to-wheel racing and questioned if their approach had changed.

Charles Leclerc said to FIA.com, “No, I think we are always trying to fight on the limit, obviously keeping in mind that Ferrari comes first and we cannot take unnecessary risks. Again, on my side, I wasn’t really in a position to be fighting properly, as we had quite a bit of issues to manage. Yeah, at the end it’s a balance and sometimes we might go a bit more over the limit and be a bit too aggressive and then we’ll have a discussion and we’ll recenter that. And that’s what we’ve done in the years we have been competing together. But I don’t remember any time where it went as far of having a problem between us. So that is a good thing and it should stay that way. But I have no doubt on that. We have also a very good relationship outside the car, so we are very open and very honest with ourselves, so we have this discussion very often. So yeah, it’s all about finding the right balance, but I think we did.”

The Ferrari driver’s mature answer and attitude reflect F1’s sportsmanship spirit. It highlights that podiums and titles are just the tip of the iceberg for success. Besides, it emphasizes strong bonds between teammates. Leclerc and Sainz’s teamwork will define Ferrari’s destiny as they tackle the season.

Carlos Sainz maintains composure while choosing his options for the 2025 season

Carlos Sainz recently noted the emotional and professional toll of leaving Ferrari, reflecting on the close relationships forged with the team and fans. Despite Ferrari’s surprising move to sign Lewis Hamilton for 2025, the Spaniard maintains composure, carefully contemplating future moves. He plans to assess his options carefully, opting not to rush into securing a seat for the 2025 season. He highlights the significance of focusing on the present, especially pre-season testing and the season’s difficulties.

Certainly, his top priority is stability in his contracts. His recent multi-year contract provided continuity, omitting uncertainty and allowing focused performance. A one-year contract or a one-plus-one setup, similar to Lewis Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes, would likely be unattractive to him.

Read More: Charles Leclerc Suffers Carlos Sainz’s Vegas Fate as $2.2 Mn Loss Returns to Haunt at Bahrain

Where do you think Carlos will end up in 2025? Share your anticipations in the comment section below.