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“It’d Be a Lie”: Battle With Carlos Sainz Takes an Ugly Turn as Charles Leclerc Makes Scathing Admission

Published 09/15/2023, 5:00 AM EDT

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In the world of Formula One, rivalry is as fierce as the competition on the track. And nowhere is this rivalry more evident than between teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. In a frank and passionate statement, Leclerc revealed the growing tension between the two.

As the battle for the drivers’ championship intensifies, Leclerc and Sainz find themselves locked in a close battle for the first place. With both drivers determined to win, the tension between them is growing. However, despite the apparent rivalry, Leclerc and Sainz share a common goal: to elevate Ferrari to unprecedented heights. Leclerc underscored this as the primary focus while admitting the internal rivalry.

The remark, however, carries a dual implication. It highlights team advancement while recognizing individual ambitions, thereby nurturing a fervently competitive atmosphere. The team has a rich history and a passionate fan base, and both drivers are eager to deliver on the team’s promise.

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Charles Leclerc pulled no punches as he laid bare the reality of their rivalry. “Saying we don’t care it’d be a lie, cause the drivers’ championship position is important. However, the priority this year is to improve the car because my goal is to fight for wins,” he said.

The complex layer of this admission throws a spotlight on the underlying currents shaping Ferrari’s dynamic this season. Sharing his “Singapore experience”, Leclerc articulated a candid outlook on the challenges Ferrari might face during the weekend. This brought a realistic touch to the expectations surrounding Ferrari’s performance against the might of the Red Bull.

Speaking to Sky Sports about their (Leclerc & Sainz) recent encounter at Monza, Leclerc shared that while both discussed it during the debrief, there was “nothing special”. Leclerc did not miss emphasizing his deep love for the on-track battles that “made me fall in love with racing”. He also mentioned his karting days skirmishes with Max Verstappen and recent clashes with other drivers, including Sainz.

As rivalry and ambition heighten, Charles Leclerc candidly discusses team dynamics and competition with Red Bull before the Singapore Grand Prix. Opening up about his relationship with Carlos Sainz and weekend anticipations, Leclerc prepares us for an electrifying event.

Charles Leclerc dismisses Red Bull’s claims of Ferrari advantage

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Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc harbors doubts despite being dubbed rivals by Red Bull’s Helmut Marko. The skepticism is rooted in the recent Italian Grand Prix, where Ferrari showed significant competitiveness. This performance highlighted a season-best for Ferrari, showcasing a potential threat for the race weekend.

via Reuters

Marko acknowledged (as per Crash.net) Leclerc’s expertise on the Singapore circuit, showing concern about Ferrari being a strong competition for Red Bull. He said, “Like every race, we have had a competitive car everywhere, so why should that not be the case in Singapore? But I have to say Ferrari and especially Leclerc is a specialist around there,” he said.

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In contrast, Leclerc dismissed these concerns in a pre-race conference on Thursday. Though flattered, he remained skeptical about Ferrari’s performance in the forthcoming race. Leclerc stated, “It’s nice to read that, but I’m not buying it at all. I really think that they will be the strongest this weekend, especially come race day… I expect us to struggle more than Monza.” He anticipated Red Bull having the upper hand, potentially being “the fastest” this weekend.

Watch This Story | Charles Leclerc’s Spinning High-Speed Crash at the 2023 Miami GP Qualifying

Whether Ferrari will surpass expectations, or Red Bull will reign supreme remains a riveting question. Racing enthusiasts worldwide are hooked. They wait to see how the dynamics unfold on the challenging Singapore track this weekend.

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Written by:

Pulkit Jai

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Pulkit is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports. With a strong academic background in engineering, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanics and technology driving Formula 1 racing. This expertise allows him to offer insightful analysis, exploring the technical aspects of the sport and shedding light on the innovative advancements that shape the world of F1.
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Edited by:

Vishav