A battle between teammates is a tale as old as time in Formula 1 because such is the nature of the sport. The cutthroat nature first pits the teammates against each other before they can even think about the rest of the grid. So to continue this tradition, we have Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the spotlight for this piece.

The two are excellent drivers, both race winners and with years of experience in the premier class. This makes them the perfect choice for a team to maximize points. However, it becomes a problem when the team needs to decide who to back for the Drivers’ Championship. For ages, not entirely because of his longer relationship with the team, Leclerc got a preference at Ferrari. However, in the last two years, especially in the second half of 2023, the Spaniard has gone toe to toe with the Monegasque. So in this piece, we will discuss who should be given the preference for 2023.

Did Carlos Sainz prove his worthiness to be Ferrari’s numero uno in 2024?

Carlos Sainz was a man reborn in the second half of the 2023 season. First race after summer break, he finished in fifth. However, it was the next two races that changed the perspective around him. The Spaniard qualified on pole position of the home race in Monza and finished on the bottom step of the podium behind the two Red Bulls. Taking the defeat personally perhaps, Sainz was on pole in Singapore as well and despite a Mercedes threat, he finished in the same position he started in securing the second race win of his career.

Singapore’s smoothly operated race win was truly a testament to his racing intelligence. This is one of the many factors a driver needs to be able to compete for the championship. Racing intelligence, speed, and consistency. The Spaniard currently lacks the latest of the three aspects. However, a lot of it can be blamed on the inconsistency of the team and the car as well. The Ferrari SF23 has not been as bad as its predecessor but it is not as good as its chief rival as well, which goes to show with Ferrari securing the only non-Red Bull win in 2023.

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But does that make him better than Leclerc in a more holistic view? Some experts like to believe so, as they think his experience makes him more valuable than Leclerc.

Read More: Carlos Sainz V/S Charles Leclerc – Ex-Ferrari Boss Gives Verdict on Ferrari’s No. 1 at US GP

However, that’s not our opinion. The Spaniard is a tough competitor and incredible racer, but his teammate edges over him ever so slightly in most of the races. These performances accumulate and make Leclerc a better driver overall. This and his commitment to Ferrari gets him our vote of confidence.

Why Charles Leclerc is and will be Ferrari’s No.1 driver

Despite Sainz’s surge in performance after the floor upgrade during the summer break, Leclerc caught up with him from the next race onwards. In fact, Sainz failed to finish above his teammate in a race for the rest of the season, keeping all the DNF, DSQ, and DNS aside. Despite only 6 points separating the two, in overall standings, Leclerc convincingly beat Sainz in the head-to-head in 2023 in terms of race and qualifying.

In fact, in qualifying, Leclerc was second with five poles in the season which he unfortunately could not convert into wins, which we cannot blame him for entirely.

However, racing aside, where they are pretty equally matched, the difference maker is the commitment. Leclerc has been as loyal as a servant gets for Ferrari and his commitment toward the Italian team has only grown in recent years. He has confessed on many occasions how he wants to see Ferrari get back to glory days and he will fight till the end to see them back at the top. This is why he’s a Tifosi favorite and why he always does and will get the preference over Sainz.

His recent statement also reveals he has higher expectations, and he is hopeful about 2024. “It was not a good season because our car was not as good as expected. On the other hand, we also learned a lot for 2024. And that’s the best can hope for in a difficult year.” He continued, “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to change much this season, but in the medium term, we are now able to take a step forward. I’m reasonably happy with myself,” he said. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Leclerc’s Hopeful Mission: Reviving Ferrari Despite Massive Gap!

So in our opinion, it is Leclerc’s passion for Ferrari that will see him be the preference at least for 2024 if not for years to come. However, if he can’t match his ambitions with his performances, the team will have no choice but to pick the Spaniard. The first few races of the next season should give us a clearer picture.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EssentiallySports.