Leclerc and Sainz had a successful first season as team-mates at Ferrari, taking the team from sixth in the constructors’ championship the year before to third in 2021, with five podium finishes and two pole positions.
They were closely matched throughout the year and often found each other on the track during the races, most notably in their last battle in Saudi Arabia.
The change in the technical regulations for 2022 opens up hope for Ferrari to fight for victories and the title again, despite the fact that they have not won since they did it with Vettel at the 2019 Singapore GP.
And if the Cavallino really fight for everything again, Leclerc and Sainz would be free to fight each other on the track without team orders after having agreed in recent weeks.
“Of course we discussed it, I think it was yesterday or two days ago,” Leclerc said after the presentation of the Ferrari F1-75 last week.
“Yes, we are free to fight, obviously without taking any stupid risks because we are fighting for the team, and the ultimate goal is to bring Ferrari to the top. But we will be free to fight.”
Carlos Sainz added that it was “important” that both drivers “felt that freedom to go for it all”, but stressed that they would always respect each other on the track and “would put Ferrari ahead in our personal fight”.
Leclerc and his former teammate Sebastian Vettel had occasional brushes during their time together, most notably at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix when they were battling for podium position.
Team principal Mattia Binotto revealed that there had been a “big discussion” with his current drivers, praising their maturity.
“From my point of view, I was very happy to see these two drivers in a totally open and transparent discussion, showing a high level of maturity,” said Binotto.
As we showed last year, they get along well, but it’s not just what you see from the outside. When you get into this kind of discussion, it can be very touchy.”
“I think they’re both really showing a fantastic level of maturity, which I’m really happy about.”
Sainz was the best Ferrari driver in 2021, marking the first time Leclerc had fallen to a teammate in a full F1 season head-to-head. The Madrid native finished 5.5 points ahead of the Monegasque.
Charles Leclerc admitted that while losing to Sainz hurt, he was pleased with his performance in 2021 and had identified room for improvement.
“There were some opportunities that I missed, sometimes because I wasn’t lucky, sometimes because I wanted too much,” Leclerc said.
“I’m learning from that. I think one of Carlos’s great strengths is being there all the time. In every race, he’s always there.”
“As for me, sometimes I can be too optimistic, and last year that happened several times and it cost me some points. So in the end, I paid the price and learned the lesson.”
“It hurts, but I’m moving on. Now it’s a thing of the past. It hurts at the moment, but when I look back and look back over the season, I’m satisfied with myself.”
