Carlos Sainz ‘Not a team player’ after Las Vegas Grand Prix broadcast incident

At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Ferrari’s internal tension reached new heights when Carlos Sainz defied team orders, leading to a fiery radio rant from Charles Leclerc. While the Scuderia arrived in Sin City as favorites, the race ended with Mercedes dominating, leaving Ferrari with questions about their team dynamic as Sainz seemingly disregarded instructions and left his teammate frustrated.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc Clash Over Team Orders

The controversy began during the race’s second round of pit stops, when Leclerc was told by his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, that he would rejoin ahead of Sainz after his stop and that he shouldn’t challenge his teammate. “Carlos has been told to not overtake, but it’s really close,” Bozzi relayed. Despite these orders, Sainz overtook Leclerc into Turn 4, igniting a furious response from the Monegasque driver: “Maybe try in Spanish!”

As both Ferrari drivers battled for a possible podium finish, with Max Verstappen ahead, tensions escalated. Leclerc, who was already frustrated by his situation, vented on the radio, saying, “I did my job but being nice fks me over all the fking time… It’s not even being nice, it’s just being respectful.”

Leclerc’s rant continued until he realized the radio was still on, offering a reluctant apology, though his frustration remained evident.

Olav Mol Critiques Carlos Sainz’s Team Behavior

Dutch pundit Olav Mol weighed in on the radio drama, criticizing Carlos Sainz for not adhering to team orders and undermining Ferrari’s strategy. Mol accused Sainz of essentially giving “the middle finger” to his teammate, citing how Sainz ignored instructions not to overtake. “That was not the agreement,” Mol said, suggesting that Sainz’s actions were understandable given his move to Williams for the next season but still detrimental to the team’s cohesion.

Mol also noted that Ferrari should have intervened more strongly, especially considering Leclerc’s battle for second place in the Drivers’ Championship. With Leclerc’s points gap to Lando Norris increasing to 21 points after the race, the stakes are high for Ferrari as they approach the final two races of the season.

Fred Vasseur’s Response to Team Drama

Despite the on-track drama and public outburst, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur attempted to downplay the situation, emphasizing that such comments made on the cooldown lap might not reflect the full context. “They are doing comments on the [cooldown] lap and they don’t have always the full picture,” Vasseur explained. He expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved within the team, calling it an internal matter.

With the departure of Sainz looming, Ferrari has already made plans for next season, including signing Lewis Hamilton to partner with Leclerc. However, the Las Vegas Grand Prix incident highlights the underlying tensions that may continue to simmer within the team.

A Changing Landscape

With Sainz’s departure to Williams confirmed and Hamilton’s arrival in the works, the dynamics within Ferrari are set to shift significantly. As for Leclerc, his fight for second place in the Drivers’ Championship will require him to not only outperform his rivals but also navigate the complexities of a team in transition.

Ferrari’s internal tensions may have overshadowed their Las Vegas performance, but with two races left—Qatar and Abu Dhabi—the Scuderia will be hoping for a more harmonious team effort in the final stretch of the 2024 season.

Ferrari’s Rocky Season Continues Amid Internal Struggles

The Ferrari saga continues to captivate fans, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc at the center of team drama. While Fred Vasseur attempts to keep the peace, the Las Vegas GP exposed cracks in the team’s unity. As the season draws to a close, Ferrari will need to resolve these issues and focus on a stronger finish, with Sainz’s departure and Hamilton’s arrival adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s future.

As Ferrari faces its final races of the season, all eyes will be on whether they can navigate these internal challenges and secure a strong finish in 2024.