Ferrari is flying this season with their phenomenal performance thanks to their strong line-up and car. But Charles Leclerc is outperforming teammate Carlos Sainz with the same car, which might be putting ‘pressure’ on the Spaniard. Moreover, Sainz doesn’t have experience driving a championship-winning car, like F1-75 in his past stints.
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The Monegasque driver has won two out of the three races this season, while his Spanish teammate could only bag two podiums. Further, he is still getting used to the competitive F1-75. He even retired from the Melbourne race and then in the qualifying for the Imola sprint.
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
The substandard performance has raised doubts about the Spaniard. Many even think of him as the number 2 driver for the Maranello base. However, the team principal doesn’t feel the same about Sainz and believes Carlos is having little trouble with the F1-75 because he never drove such a competitive cart in his last F1 team, McLaren. But the Ferrari boss is confident that Sainz will soon be on par with Charles.
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Binotto said, “I think it’s a matter of managing the pressure. It’s maybe the first time in his career that he’s got a car which is fast enough to compete for the best positions, and he simply needs to get used to that. But he will do it very quickly because I know how smart and how capable he is.”
Carlos Sainz made Mick Schumacher wait a little longer
Carlos Sainz signed a new two-year contract, which makes him stay with the red team until 2024. But Sainz staying two more years would make Mick Schumacher wait before he can wear red, like his dad, Michael.
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The young Haas driver is also a reserve driver for the Maranello base. He has been waiting for his turn in Ferrari and following his father Michael Schumacher’s footsteps. But now he has to continue with Haas until there is a vacant seat in Ferrari.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – APRIL 02: Mick Schumacher of Germany and Scuderia Ferrari SF90 walks out of the garage during F1 testing in Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
“We’ll have to be patient for a little longer. As everyone knows, I’m in no hurry. And Mick is a Ferrari driver – he has a contract with them first, and then with me.” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said, “So it’s up to Ferrari. It’s no secret that Ferrari can nominate one of our two drivers.”
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The Ferrari duo will race in their home race on Sunday, the Emilia Romagna GP. Leclerc would start the race at P2 while Sainz would start from P4. Do you see Ferrari winning the Imola home race?
