Ferrari: Charles Leclerc responds emotionally to Carlos Sainz's tribute to their Maranello F1 partnership
Yesterday at 04:44 PM
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc undoubtedly formed one of the most formidable driver partnerships of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
Together, the duo amassed a total of 652 points for the Maranello team, nearly securing the Constructors' Championship, falling short by just 14 points to McLaren. Their impressive performance highlights Ferrari's strong season, having won five races despite facing stiff competition from Red Bull, who claimed nine victories and saw Max Verstappen take his fourth consecutive title.
Despite knowing that he would be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, Carlos Sainz remained committed to Ferrari, delivering when it mattered most. His victories in Australia and Mexico were particularly noteworthy, with his triumph in Melbourne coming mere weeks after recovering from appendicitis. His dominant win in Mexico, where he led from start to finish, further demonstrated his skill and resilience.
In response to Carlos Sainz's post celebrating their time together, Charles Leclerc shared a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram stories, expressing gratitude for their partnership.
The two drivers have worked together for four seasons, with Carlos Sainz having defeated Charles Leclerc once in 2021, but the Monegasque driver outscoring him on three other occasions. Their close competition was reflected in their remarkably narrow gap this year, with an average difference of just 0.028 seconds between their fastest laps across the races.
In his own post, Carlos Sainz described their four years together as "amazing" and thanked Charles Leclerc for the constant challenge and pushing him to perform at his best throughout their partnership.
In a reply on Instagram, the Monegasque driver wrote: "Thank you mate. I wish you all the very best too. Was so good to be pushing each other so much race after race. Learnt so much from you and the way we have worked together in these past years. So many great moments shared that I will look back at proud and happy to have shared them with you."
Carlos Sainz was given a memorable farewell as he wrapped up his time with Ferrari, marking the final days of his contract with a heartfelt send-off at the Maranello headquarters. During the event, the Spanish driver took his 2022 race-winning car for a spin around the iconic Fiorano circuit, relishing the opportunity to bid a fitting adieu to the Scuderia.
Adding a personal touch to the occasion, Sainz's father, Carlos Sainz Sr., also participated in the event, driving the F1-75 alongside his son. Ferrari shared that Sainz Sr. experienced a spin during one of his laps but quickly regained control and got back up to speed, showcasing the true spirit of motorsport.
As a final gesture of appreciation for his dedication and achievements with the team, Ferrari presented Carlos Sainz with the very car he had driven during his farewell. According to reports from Italian media, this thoughtful gift came as a pleasant surprise to the 30-year-old driver, serving as a symbol of the impact he had made during his time with the Scuderia.
The Spaniard is now preparing for a new chapter in his career, as he transitions to Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign. He had already tested with the team during the Abu Dhabi post-season test in early December, marking the first step of his new journey with the Grove-based squad.
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