Helmut Marko: “[Carlos Sainz] Is Better Than [Charles] Leclerc”

While the title fight takes a new road at Suzuka, one man who remains unsure of where he will end up in Formula 1 next year is Carlos Sainz. As the race winner at Albert Park carefully weighs his options, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko recently deemed the Spaniard better than Charles Leclerc for the time being.

While answering a question about Carlos Sainz, Helmut Marko noted the Spaniard’s edge over his teammate Leclerc. “Sainz is a strong and ambitious driver who now has maximum motivation because he was fired from Ferrari and because he has just recovered from appendicitis, behind his performance there is the fact that all these factors are coming together, at the moment he is superior to Leclerc, who was better than Sainz in 2023.”

Helmut Marko’s comments seemed to have strengthened Carlos Sainz’s Red Bull prospects. With rumors about who takes either Red Bull seat, in case Max Verstappen leaves or Sergio Perez doesn’t get a contract, Sainz may have a foot in the door.

Helmut Marko’s words highlights Ferrari and Leclerc’s plight

Helmut Marko’s statements highlighted a much deeper problem Ferrari faces. Carlos Sainz is already out of the door, yet is the one bringing in results. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, as the driver staying in the team, will face a seven-time world champion. Having someone as dominant as Lewis Hamilton will not be an easy task, as many opine.

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Although Hamilton will need some time to adjust to a Ferrari car, it will be a scary prospect for Charles Leclerc. Already being outpaced by Sainz, Hamilton will be a different story altogether.

What is certain is Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has thrown the driver market in disarray. Sainz, a strong driver, is without a team. With rumors of possible Audi, Mercedes, and Red Bull moves all coming together, Ferrari faces a big risk. A driver who understands their car will, most likely, be driving for one of their rivals next season.