Leclerc-Sainz competition driving Ferrari forward


Image copyright: Getty Images

2021 Formula 1 World Championship

Round 12

Belgian Grand Prix

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot
29 August 2021
15:00 CAT

Scuderia Ferrari will look to build on the promise they have shown in recent races when they participate in Round 12 of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, the Belgian Grand Prix, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot on Sunday 29 August.

Ferrari have drawn level with McLaren-Mercedes in the race to be the ‘best of the rest’ behind the leading duo of Mercedes and Red Bull Racing-Honda in the Constructors’ Championship, with the Italian and British teams tied on 163 points apiece – 128 points adrift of second-placed Red Bull and 86 points ahead of fifth-placed Alpine-Renault.

AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly
Image copyright: Getty Images

Though Charles Leclerc was forced to retire from the last round in Hungary, Ferrari received an unexpected boost when Carlos Sainz, who finished fourth on the track, was elevated to third place after a disqualification for Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel.

Leclerc, who won the Belgian GP in 2019 for his first career F1 victory, believes the healthy and friendly competition between himself and Sainz – who have racked up 80 and 83 points to be seventh and sixth on the Drivers’ Championship respectively – is helping to drive Ferrari forward in performance terms.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz
Image copyright: Getty Images

“It is going very well. We are very competitive and when we put the helmets on, we absolutely want to beat one another,” explained Leclerc. “But on the other hand, we know how to work together whenever we are outside the car and this is great to see. It is great for us because it pushes us forward and pushes the team forward.”

Sainz, meanwhile, feels he is still searching for consistency in his first season with the Scuderia: “I still don’t have the feeling I’m driving consistently like in 2019 and 2020. There are still a few points I need to improve. But when things go wrong for me, Charles is there and vice versa.

“We are very close and push each other to better lap times from first practice. I know how strong Charles is. That has improved my own level because I want to beat him.”

2021 F1 World Championship standings: Drivers, top 5

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 195 points
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda), 187
3. Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes), 113
4. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), 108
5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing-Honda), 104

2021 F1 World Championship standings: Constructors, top 5

1. Mercedes, 303 points
2. Red Bull Racing-Honda, 291
3. Ferrari, 163
4. McLaren-Mercedes, 163
5. Alpine-Renault, 77
 

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Published: 08/26/2021