Leclerc says “high level” Sainz is “doing a better job”

When it comes to the head-to-head battle at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc says his teammate is simply “doing a better job,” however, the Monegasque isn’t worried, instead commending Carlos Sainz’s “high level” of driving as extra motivation in China.

Carlos Sainz is yet to finish a Grand Prix off the podium in 2024, even despite emergency appendicitis surgery in Saudi Arabia that saw him rushing to recover ahead of his eventual Australian Grand Prix victory.

His teammate has been trailing slightly behind, however, a different trend to last year’s Ferrari duel in which Leclerc’s qualifying prowess rewarded him with P5 in the standings, whilst Sainz settled for P7.

“I think it’s as simple as he’s doing a better job,” Leclerc said. 

“Again, I think in Bahrain, it’s difficult to compare, because on my side, I was facing issues, and I think it was a very strong weekend apart from that. 

“However, in the last two races, he’s just been stronger, so it’s up to me now to work, especially on the qualifying pace, which is normally a strength. 

“I’ve been struggling to put the lap together.”

In recent weeks, Leclerc has been audibly unsatisfied during the final stages of qualifying, with  compromised out-laps costly the #16 greatly come the chequered flag in qualifying.

In Japan, Leclerc qualified in a low P8, impacting his race on the Sunday greatly.

At the same time, Sainz found himself in P4, narrowly missing out on a top-three grid slot by under two-tenths.

In Australia, Sainz lined up from the front row, ultimately inheriting the lead after Max Verstappen’s brakes failed in the opening few laps.

Again, Leclerc started behind his teammate in P5, however, it was a poetic 1-2 for the Maranello outfit.

With Sainz missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, their only other comparison goes back to the opening round in Bahrain. 

This was Leclerc’s only time lining up in front of his teammate so far in 2024, however, it didn’t end that way with the #16 finishing over 14 seconds behind Sainz in third place. 

“It’s a very fine line to get it right or completely wrong on the out lap and putting the tyres in the right window, and for now, I have been struggling more than what Carlos has done. 

“He’s driving at a very high level, which I think is great for the team, it’s great for me as well, and I have been working a lot on that. 

“Normally when I work on points, I’m quite confident on improving pretty quickly, so I’m not worried. 

“But obviously now I need to show that on track, starting from tomorrow in qualifying.”

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz celebrate their 1-2 on the podium at the Australian GP. Image: Zak Mauger / LAT Images.

Focusing on this weekend and the year ahead, however, Leclerc is quite satisfied with where the team is at, with a variety of promising results already under Ferrari’s belt. 

“I think the level of confidence is quite stable since the beginning of the season,” the Monegasque said.

“On paper, I think [the Shanghai International Circuit is] a track where we could be a bit stronger compared to Suzuka, but we’ll just approach it in the same way. 

However, confidence doesn’t equate to on-track dominance, with Leclerc still wary of Red Bull’s out-right pace across this upcoming Sprint weekend.

“I still think that Red Bull will have the upper hand this weekend and we’ll just have to focus on ourselves, because it can be very easy, as we’ve seen, especially in qualifying into Suzuka, I didn’t do a good job Saturday and then you don’t go from fourth to fifth but you go from fourth to eighth.

“And so it’s going to be very important, especially on a Sprint weekend, we’ve got two qualifyings this weekend to extract the maximum out of the car on both qualifyings and then in the race.” 

Leclerc expects his SF-24 to be closer to Red Bull during the race than they were in Japan, however, the external unknowns are still weighing heavily on the #16’s mind.

“Obviously, it’s been a very long time since we drove here, so yeah, I saw the track was painted or there was something strange on it, so also this we’ll have to see how our car behaves on that and what are the main limitations in the race. 

“On paper, I think we should be closer to them, yes.”

The first of the two qualifying sessions will take place tomorrow evening, with the Sprint Shootout following the sole practice session of the tricky, potentially rain-impacted, weekend in Shanghai.

Action in Shanghai kicks off at 1:30 PM, AEST on Friday.

Don’t forget the latest issue of the free digital version of Auto Action is out now!

Or subscribe to the print edition here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

After a break that feels like months, the Supercars Championship is back and headed across the ditch to Taupo in the middle of the North Island. And yes, Brodie Kostecki will be there! As will the rain.

Somehow, the rain will also be in China for F1’s return to 中国. Philip Island was stunning on the weekend, just gone, if a little cold, but we chatted about whether Supercars should return to the land of penguins.

Plus, there’s more… all the news in the way only the Auto Action RevLimiter can deliver.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here