Sainz undecided about the risk of driving classic F1 cars

Some drivers have been lucky enough to test iconic cars from the elite category of motorsport, and Charles Leclerc was the most recent. The Monegasque driver had the opportunity to test both Gilles Villeneuve ‘s Ferrari 312T and Niki Lauda ‘s 312B3.

However, when completing a demonstration run in Niki Lauda ‘s 1974 Ferrari last Sunday at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, Leclerc spun at La Rascasse . The Ferrari driver suffered an unexpected brake failure during his third lap of the Monte Carlo street circuit, and, as a result, damaged the rear wing, leading to an unstoppable controversy on social networks.

The Monegasque was unable to brake with the front left of the car, so the brakes would have grabbed entirely on the right side, causing the car to instantly turn in that direction.

In that situation, when asked by Motorsport.com if his colleague was keen to try a classic Ferrari like Leclerc in the near future, Carlos Sainz admitted he felt some uncertainty due to the risks involved, particularly at a time when Ferrari is proving to be competitive on the F1 track.

“I’ve had the opportunity [to test classic cars] in the past, and it gives you an insight into what the sport was like a long time ago,” said Carlos Sainz. “But I’m hesitant about it, because why would you risk it?”

“You are in the middle of a chance to win the championship with Ferrari, why would you risk having this situation like what happened to him [Leclerc]?”

“Every time I get into a classic Formula 1 car, these things are on my mind.”

Sainz explained that his natural instinct when getting into any F1 car would be to push it to the limit, rather than just driving it and lapping at a leisurely pace.

“If I get in a car, I will give it my all,” Sainz said. “I don’t know how to get on and get my elbow out and drive smoothly, I have no idea how to do this,” he added.

“Then these things can happen and they leave you with doubt. So I don’t know what to answer,” he concluded.

Charles Leclerc crashes Niki Lauda’s 1974 Ferrari