Alexandre
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, contested yesterday in cool, intense conditions, gave Ferrari a solid result, finishing third and fourth with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. However, the celebrations were somewhat marred by obvious tensions between the two drivers of the Scuderia Ferrariwhich could weigh heavily in the last two races of the 2024 season. Formula 1.
A fine operation for Ferrari
With Sainz third and Leclerc fourth, Ferrari took back 12 points from McLaren, reducing the gap to just 24 units in the battle for first place in the constructors' championship.. A result hailed by team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who was pleased to "maximize the points despite a faster Mercedes."
"We did the best we could with our potential. This championship is incredible, with three teams still capable of playing for the title with two races to go. It's good for F1, even if I'd like to be 70 points ahead," declared Vasseur, while stressing the importance of the next stages, notably in Qatar, a circuit considered less favourable for Ferrari.
Tensions in the Scuderia: Leclerc and Sainz on the brink of explosion?
If the points are good news, the relationship between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Leclerc, vying for second place in the drivers' championship with Lando Norris, openly expressed his frustration after the race. During a radio chat, the Monegasque didn't mince his words, criticizing the strategy which, in his opinion, had favored Sainz.
"Being too nice, I'm getting screwed," let out Leclerc, furious after being overtaken by his teammate, who was benefiting from warmer tires after his pit stop. A situation Leclerc described as repetitive and "disrespectful." For his part, Carlos Sainz was more diplomatic, preferring not to fuel the controversy in the media.. "With Charles, we agreed not to talk about it and to settle it internally," he said, while pointing out the strategic misunderstandings that affected their respective races.
Debriefing the race in Las Vegas ✨#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ntj83803Vn
- Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) November 24, 2024
Vasseur plays down tensions
Frédéric Vasseur tried to calm things down, saying that these disputes are part of the competition. "They make hot-off-the-press comments, but they don't always have the full picture. We'll discuss it, it's nothing to worry about," he assures us. However, the stakes remain high: maintaining cohesion within the team to maximize points in the final two races.
The context is all the more complex in that Carlos Sainz will race for the last time with Ferrari before joining a new team in 2025.. This situation could exacerbate tensions, the Spaniard looking to shine and finish on a high notewhile Leclerc concentrates on his duel with Norris.
A tense end to the season
Ferrari no longer has the right to make mistakes. With only two races remaining, one of them in Sprint format in Qatar, the Scuderia must not only make up the 24-point deficit on McLaren, but also manage an explosive internal dynamic. Will Leclerc and Sainz be able to put their differences aside for the good of the team?
Sainz is leaving, so team races are out of the question. His chances of a podium finish are reduced to the 2 remaining races, before he plunges down the standings at Williams, where he can do nothing better than grab a few points and hope to be on a par with Albon.
And in any case, Sainz isn't much of a team player. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will also want to take a back seat to Leclerc. Nothing is less certain.