Sainz recalls fierce Leclerc battles and fan hostility at Ferrari

Carlos Sainz has said he endured insults from Charles Leclerc's supporters during their time together at Ferrari, offering a different perspective on the debate following Leclerc's first-lap clash with Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Sainz described his on-track fights with Leclerc between 2021 and 2024 with fondness, saying that when wins were at stake drivers naturally become more selfish. He said the pair always respected each other and never made contact, and that any disagreements were resolved in private.

He said the greater difficulty came from the polarised fan bases and media at Ferrari, adding that he had suffered from hardcore Leclerc fans wishing him bad. Leclerc has been absent from media duties ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after the birth of his first child.