When Carlos Sainz joined Ferrari in 2021, no one expected him to beat Charles Leclerc that season. But against all odds, he did. After that season, Lando Norris said, “More and more people are realizing what he is capable of, and the kind of driver he is when he’s gone up against Charles and beaten him quite often.” People expected him to continue doing what he did in 2021—make the most of his opportunities—but for the past two seasons, Charles Leclerc seems to have had the upper hand. Ferrari thinks so, and after the Austrian GP, Sainz might have given into that belief too.

During this year’s visit to Austria, Ferrari was looking strong enough to compete for pole position in qualifying. And throughout the weekend, Sainz looked quicker than Leclerc, except when it really mattered. According to F1 journalist Roberto Chinchero, as quoted by formula1.it, “[Sainz] did the whole weekend better than Leclerc, but not Q3, and I think it’s frustrating for him. Charles, on the other hand, has the talent to put himself there at the key moment.” Leclerc just missed out on pole and qualified second, while Sainz qualified third.

When the race started, Sainz was unable to overtake Leclerc for second. He had the quicker pace of the two Ferraris and even implicitly asked his team to swap positions, but instead, Ferrari asked him to hold position. “What Carlos needs to understand is that what matters, especially if the car has regained speed, is Q3 and the start. He has to be in a position to be in front. If he’s always the one behind, the situation gets complicated,” added Chinchero while talking about Sainz’s situation.

Ferrari’s situation in Austria wasn’t a one-off occurrence. Even in Canada, Sainz was faster during the race but was asked to stay behind Leclerc and not fight him.

“He Had Priority Today”: Carlos Sainz Reveals Ferrari’s Masterplan Involving Charles Leclerc Which Made Him Act Unruly

Discussing the two races, Chinchero expressed the importance of being in front right from the start, something Carlos has failed to do for three weekends now. He said, “Maybe there will be that time when the team sees that you have a second more and lets you pass, but it’s essential that the first lap is in front. The perspective is reversed there.” But with Ferrari having favored Charles two race weekends in a row, tensions seemed to boil over at the British GP.

Carlos Sainz defied team orders for the second year running at the British GP

The British GP was a memorable outing for the Spaniard last season. Not only did he achieve his first pole position, he also got his first race win. But it wasn’t without controversy. During a late Safety Car, Leclerc led the race on old tires, but everyone behind him pitted for new tires, including Sainz, who Lewis Hamilton was chasing. Ferrari instructed Sainz to defend from Hamilton to give Leclerc space to breathe, but after the green flag, he overtook Leclerc and took the win, while Leclerc finished fourth.

This year, after a Red Flag during Q1, Sainz was asked to let Leclerc overtake him in the pit lane, and Sainz complied. He expressed his displeasure, but going into the final corners on their out-lap, Sainz retook track position. Leclerc expressed his displeasure then, saying, “Nice, Carlos, nice. Good overtake in the last corner.” Neither driver was pleased with how Ferrari’s weekend played out in the end, with the dup finishing and underwhelming ninth and tenth, Leclerc ahead of Sainz. 

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With Charles being favored over Carlos in the past few races, the tensions at Ferrari are palpable. Can Sainz get back in the game at the Hungarian GP, or will he have to play second-fiddle to Leclerc again?

WATCH THIS STORY | Is Carlos Sainz Looking to Move Away from Ferrari?