Carlos Sainz admits: “I’ve suffered at the hands of Leclerc’s most extreme fans”

Following the heated Ferrari duel in Mexico, Lewis Hamilton has nothing good to say about Charles Leclerc. We could have secured a one-two in Mexico, and we must ensure that this doesn’t happen again. I know how well connected and established Charles is within this team. I’ve always respected that. It’s certainly not easy for him when someone like me comes in and demands so many changes. But that’s not going to change. I’m here to win races, and for that to happen, things simply have to change. I’m firmly convinced that we’ll be in the running for the World Championship title next year, and that wouldn’t be possible unless we all step up our game – myself included.”

Back in Mexico, the Englishman had said: “The bloke’s 28 now, so it’s got nothing to do with age. It’s more about the mentality. It’s like – either I win or neither of us wins. And that’s not how it should be.”

In Brazil, Hamilton is asked whether he feels that Charles Leclerc drives more aggressively against him than against the other 20 drivers. Lewis: “Yes.” The journalist presses him: “Can you say more about that?” – Hamilton: “No, it’s just as you can see there.”

“Look at Singapore – he was side-by-side with an opponent (it was Max Verstappen, M.B.) and he eased off the throttle. So it is different. And it was the same with Vettel and with Sainz.”

This Carlos Sainz drove alongside Leclerc at Ferrari from 2021 to 2024. Sainz finished fifth in the World Championship three times and won four Grands Prix.

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The Spaniard told the sports newspaper Marca: “If I’d pulled off a manoeuvre like Leclerc’s in Mexico, I would have issued a statement. I’ve always respected Charles and he’s respected me. We’ve had intense battles, such as at Monza and Las Vegas, and moments of great tension over the years.”

“The hardest thing about my time at Ferrari was managing the environment, the relationship with the media and, above all, with the fans. The situation between Charles and me was very polarised. I remember suffering at the hands of his most extreme fans, who insulted me or wished me ill. Even some Italian media criticised me for not behaving enough like a second driver.”

“The real problem revolved more around the pressure surrounding Ferrari, rather than any genuine difficulties between Charles and me. Every conflict was resolved that very same evening. We always spoke calmly and managed to find a solution so we could carry on. And even today, relations between the two of us are good.”

On the issue of two roosters in one henhouse, Carlos says: “I can’t recall a team that had two good drivers competing for the top spots without any problems arising. You can either designate one driver as number two straight away, or simply have two competitive drivers. But that’s happened at Mercedes and McLaren too, not just at Ferrari. You can’t expect top drivers to give up the chance to win a race.”