Carlos Sainz revealed a stark reality within the Ferrari team, stating that “no one’s happy” following Charles Leclerc’s explosive outburst after the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Leclerc expressed his frustration vehemently over team radio, reacting to Sainz’s decision to disregard team orders and overtake him during the critical phase of the second pit stops.
“I did my job but being nice fucks me over all the fucking time, all the fucking time,” Leclerc vented, clearly enraged by the situation.
Sainz, however, felt justified in his actions, pointing out that he had already let Leclerc pass ahead of the pit stops, only to face delays when the Ferrari pit crew was unprepared to assist him.
“Yeah, I think he grained the Medium tyres, and I managed to get ahead before the pit stop on Mediums,” Sainz explained post-race.
“As I was on grained tyres, I asked the team two or three times to box me, to get me out of the way, and get me a new set of Hards to make sure that I wasn’t losing a lot of race time by having to let Charles by and then having to fight Lewis at the same time.
“For some reason we didn’t box and I ended up having to let Charles by a lap later than was planned and losing a lot of race time.”
“And by the time I was going to box, then we didn’t even box. So I guess he’s not happy, but I’m also not happy with the way things were handled at the time.
“And yeah, I think no one’s happy today in the team because we all expected a bit more. I’m on the podium, so at least I got that for the team.
“But at the same time, I don’t think we could have finished much better than P3 and P4 today.”
Frederic Vasseur seeks to cool tempers at Ferrari post-Vegas
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized the need for a thorough debrief to address the ongoing tensions between the drivers.
“We have to avoid to fight but at this stage I think that opening the stint you have to be really on the management side,” Vasseur commented, recognizing the challenges faced during the race.
“Carlos he was already Lap 3 or 4 of the stint but I think it’s more the fact that the situation was really difficult for everybody, we will discuss tonight it won’t be an issue.”
### Interview with Motorsport Analyst: Exploring the Tensions Within Ferrari After the Las Vegas GP
### Interview with Motorsport Analyst: Exploring the Tensions Within Ferrari After the Las Vegas GP
**Editor:** Today, we have with us a seasoned motorsport analyst, Alex Thompson, to discuss the recent turmoil within the Ferrari team, particularly following the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Welcome, Alex!
**Alex Thompson:** Thank you for having me!
**Editor:** Let’s dive right in. Carlos Sainz made a striking comment about team morale, stating, “no one’s happy” after the race. Can you give us some context about why this is significant?
**Alex Thompson:** Absolutely. Tensions within a team can impact performance significantly, and Sainz’s comment highlights a deeper issue within Ferrari, especially after Charles Leclerc’s public frustration over team orders. During the race, there was a critical incident where Sainz overtook Leclerc despite team instructions, which understandably led to Leclerc venting his anger over the radio. This kind of discord can undermine team spirit and effectiveness moving forward.
**Editor:** Right, Leclerc’s outburst was pretty intense. He expressed frustration saying, “I did my job but being nice fucks me over all the fucking time.” What does this say about the dynamics between the drivers?
**Alex Thompson:** Leclerc’s words reveal his growing frustration with how team orders seem to affect his race strategies. His position is not uncommon in racing, where drivers have to balance between following team strategies and racing for their own positions. He felt he was being too accommodating and that it backfired on him. For Sainz, his decision to overtake was strategic, especially since he had already moved aside for Leclerc earlier, showing that both drivers are striving for the best outcomes, albeit in conflicting ways.
**Editor:** Let’s talk about the pit stop incident. It seems like the Ferrari team’s execution during this crucial phase has been called into question. What happened there?
**Alex Thompson:** Sainz mentioned that the team “simply didn’t execute” during the pit stops, leading to delays that played a significant role in the unfolding drama. The timing and coordination of pit stops are critical in Formula 1, and any miscommunication or delay can cost positions. The fact that this incident unfolded in such a high-stakes moment only exacerbated the frustration on both driver sides.
**Editor:** Given these recent events, how do you think Ferrari should approach their next steps to mend these interpersonal issues?
**Alex Thompson:** Communication is key. Ferrari needs to reinforce their team strategy and ensure that both drivers are on the same page regarding plans during races. A unified approach to racing strategy could help reduce tensions and ensure that both Sainz and Leclerc feel supported, which is essential for not just their performance but also the overall morale of the team.
**Editor:** Great insights, Alex! It seems Ferrari has some challenges ahead if they want to move forward positively. Thank you for joining us today!
**Alex Thompson:** My pleasure! It’ll be interesting to see how Ferrari navigates these challenges in the coming races.
