Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz agree that it is a good problem to have for Ferrari when both drivers are fighting at the front of the field in F1 2022.
A 1-2 finish for Ferrari in Bahrain GP following on from an impressive testing performances in Barcelona and Bahrain coupled with the retirement of both the Red Bull cars assisted the Maranello outfit in a dream start to their 2022 campaign.
Leclerc was naturally a star on the day with pole position, fastest lap and a great battle with Max Verstappen before the World Champion retired late which ultimately led to Sainz inheriting second place after running third for most part of the grand prix.
Ferrari, as is well known pretty much sacrificed their 2021 campaign to concentrate on this season, in light of the new rules which have been implemented this year and it appears to have reaped a massive reward with their best start to a season since 2010.
First and second in the race with a driver leading who has just won his third Grand Prix along with a teammate in his eighth season, who is hungry for success and desperate to get to the top of the podium. With the car seemingly good and reliable, it raises the question of a rivalry between both as they no doubt could be very worthy title contenders.
And Leclerc thinks it is a good issue to have at Ferrari with both the drivers going at each other. “I think it’s a very good problem to have,” he said. “I mean coming into the season we surely knew that we were going to be in a better position than the last two years but we didn’t really know where and now we see we are in the mix to fight for the title so it’s amazing”.
“I think we are both very happy to have a car that is capable of winning and we will fight for sure,” summed up Leclerc. Teammate Sainz takes a more long term view, realising it is a long season and that consistency over the 23 race season is what is needed too.
“It is just great news for Ferrari and for us because it is where Ferrari should be and it is where Charles and I want to be in our lives, fighting for world championships now,” started Sainz. “It is still going to be a long year and we still need to make sure we develop this car because it’s a quick car, but it needs to be quick the whole year, not just to keep us in the fight but it’s a great problem to have actually.
“Before the race, Charles and I were working together and the first thing that we said to each other is how good it feels just to be starting first and third and to finally be fighting for something bigger now and together and kind of had that moment of just realising that we are in the fight this year and between us it was a good moment to reflect and realise that we are a lot luckier than we were last season and we have a good fight on our hands,” summed up Sainz.
While both drivers agree it is a great problem to have, it is a long season and there can only be one winner. There have been other inter team rivalries in the past like ‘Hamilton and Rosberg’, ‘Vettel and Webber’, and not to mention ‘Prost and Senna’ which seems so long ago now. It will be interesting to watch how it plays out between two good friends and how it will pan out with Verstappen in the mix too.
Here’s Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen on their duel
