{"id":300710,"date":"2023-12-15T20:56:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T20:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usasportsradar.com\/?p=300710"},"modified":"2023-12-15T20:56:44","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T20:56:44","slug":"charles-leclerc-opens-up-on-carlos-sainz-relationship-with-hurt-admission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usasportsradar.com\/racing\/f1\/charles-leclerc-opens-up-on-carlos-sainz-relationship-with-hurt-admission\/","title":{"rendered":"Charles Leclerc opens up on Carlos Sainz relationship with ‘hurt’ admission"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has admitted to being \u2018hurt\u2019 as teammate Carlos Sainz became the only non-Red Bull\u00a0driver to win a Grand Prix in the 2023 F1 season. Amid an unprcedented season of domination, only one race was won by a driver not named Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez with Sainz crossing the line first in Singapore.<\/p>\n

The 2023 season was totally bossed by Red Bull, with Verstappen claiming his third successive world championship on the back of 19 race wins out of a possible 22. Perez won in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, but his title challenge faltered as he struggled for consistency while Verstappen cruised clear of the field.<\/p>\n

Only at the Singapore Grand Prix in September did the Milton Keynes-based team struggle enough that one of their rivals was able to take advantage. On that occasion, Sainz took the win for Ferrari after expertly defending from McLaren\u2019s Lando Norris around the Marina Bay Circuit.<\/p>\n

Sainz perfectly judged the gap to the British driver in second, smartly letting his former teammate stay within DRS range so Mercedes\u2019 George Russell could not enter the battle. The 29-year-old had initially defended the lead from Leclerc before the first safety car was deployed, but the Monagasque star could not maintain performance as the race unfolded.<\/p>\n

Leclerc was hurt to see his teammate win the only race Red Bull did not claim in 2023. But the Ferrari driver was ultimately pleased the team seized the moment and delivered.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat hurts, especially in a season like this, in which there was only this one chance,\u201d Leclerc told\u00a0Auto Motor und Sport. \u201cThat\u2019s where I didn\u2019t get the qualification right, which ultimately cost me the race. But it was absolutely important for the team because, as a team, we did everything right.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing with the soft tires was my idea. Not to help Carlos. But because it was the best thing for our race. In moments like this, you have to accept that the team comes first. They would do the same for me if I was ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Back in Singapore, Sainz had edged Russell to pole position with Leclerc in P3 AS 0.079 seonds covered the top three. However, a difference in strategies at Ferrari ultimately cost Leclerc his opportunity to win a Grand Prix in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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