Former Benetton and Prost workforce supervisor Joan Villadelprat believes that Carlos Sainz’s qualities outweigh these of Charles Leclerc at Scuderia Ferrari.
After three races in 2023, Sainz leads Leclerc by 20 factors to 6, making it the primary time he has been in entrance of his teammate because the finish of the 2021 season. Leclerc registered two DNFs (Bahrain and Australia) this yr, together with a P7 end in Saudi Arabia, the place Sainz completed P6.
Former Components 1 administration stalwart Villadelprat, in an interview with Spanish publication El Confidencial, warned Leclerc to watch out as he bids to make up for misplaced time when the season resumes in Azerbaijan this weekend. The 68-year-old believes Sainz is a extra optimistic asset to Ferrari than the Monegasque.
He opined:
“Leclerc has been bought that he’s primary and, when he sees Carlos in entrance of him, irrespective of how a lot good vibes they’ve, it makes him sick to his abdomen.”
He added:
“Carlos must be at all times there, in entrance. There’s something necessary, however it takes time to recognise: Carlos works tougher than Leclerc, he’s simpler to work with individuals, he’s a extra optimistic asset, Leclerc places numerous strain and numerous fuss on the workforce when issues don’t go effectively, and this doesn’t assist. This high quality of Carlos may be advantageous in the long term.”
“At Ferrari, the stability modifications weight instantly” – Joan Villadelprat warns Carlos Sainz of Charles Leclerc’s resurgence
Talking in regards to the dynamic between the 2 Ferrari drivers, Joan Villadelprat said that Carlos Sainz has needed to adapt to the automotive since he joined the workforce and that he shall be wanting over his shoulder for Charles Leclerc’s resurgence this yr.
He mentioned:
“I see that [Sainz] is pushing from the start – the story of adapting to the automotive is now not legitimate, so he has to stick with it. As a result of Leclerc is coming again, and really sturdy. He has an amazing innate velocity, greater than Carlos, who has to work on it extra, so he has to push and take most factors and keep there.”
He added:
“As a result of, at Ferrari, the stability modifications weight instantly. Now, he’s in entrance, but when Leclerc will get in entrance… His weight, even at the moment, is greater than Carlos in Ferrari, he’s extra thought-about than Carlos at the moment, and the primary mission is to make Carlos extra thought-about than Leclerc.”
Ferrari are at the moment fourth within the F1 standings, behind Purple Bull Racing, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.