Carlos Sainz knows how to beat Leclerc next season

Carlos Sainz has a plan to gain an advantage over his teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, in the upcoming Formula 1 season. Sainz secured Ferrari’s only victory in 2023, but Leclerc, known for his speed in qualifying, is considered by many experts to have the upper hand over the Spaniard in terms of raw on-track speed.

In the 2023 season, both drivers accumulated similar points – 206 for Leclerc and 200 for Sainz. So far, Carlos has managed to finish ahead of Leclerc only once, in the final standings for the 2021 season. “Charles is great in a single lap, and in races, he manages to return to the front and make up positions, even if he starts further back. Right from the start, he makes his way forward,” said Sainz regarding his teammate’s strengths to DAZN Spain.

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“But we are a very good team. I have to be able to take advantage of the opportunity when Charles has problems to move forward,” added the Spanish driver. “The two of us understand each other very well; that’s the most important thing for the team. There is healthy competition between us. When I can, I’ll bite him, and when I need to control myself, I’ll control myself completely.”

According to unconfirmed information, Leclerc has already signed a new 5-year contract with the team until the end of 2029, while Sainz’s negotiations with the team are ongoing. There are speculations that Ferrari is offering Sainz a one-season contract until the end of 2025, possibly due to the potential recruitment of Lando Norris from McLaren.