Carlos Sainz highlights 'chaos' and 'finger-pointing' in tough times for Ferrari

Carlos Sainz has highlighted the "chaos" and "finger-pointing" that unfold around Ferrari when it hits troubled times.

That is currently the case as the notoriously harsh Italian media has turned on its number one target - the Scuderia - following its difficult start to the season.

Ferrari was expected to be McLaren's closest rival this season following the way it concluded last term, finishing just 14 points shy of landing its first constructors' championship since 2008.

Although second again in this year's title fight, Ferrari finds itself a staggering 197 points adrift after just nine grands prix going into this weekend's 10th round in Canada.

The situation has sent the Italian media into overdrive, with its leading newspapers suggesting team principal Fred Vasseur's position is under threat, and that Charles Leclerc is considering a move away, with Mercedes in the running.

Given his position as a former Ferrari driver after spending four seasons at Maranello, reacting to the speculation around the team, an unsurprised Sainz, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, said: "It's the same story as always.

"The moment that the results don't click in Ferrari, there's always finger-pointing by the media and all this chaos happening.

"For me, it's all about focusing on the process and delivering when it matters."

Referring specifically to Vasseur, who took the decision to replace Sainz with Lewis Hamilton, the Spanish driver added: "I have a great relationship with him.

"Obviously, we went through a tough month where he didn't want me and signed Lewis, but apart from that, we made peace about it, and I get on well [with him]. I've always rated him as a team principal and as a person."

Sainz felt Ferrari was ready for title fight

It appears as if it will be another season as an also-ran for Ferrari, with Leclerc collecting only three podiums, whilst Hamilton has yet to finish in the top three in a grand prix.

As to why Ferrari has slipped from its front-running position, Sainz said: "I can only talk about my time there, and when I left.

"My feeling is that the team, the car, we felt like we were ready to fight for our championship. And I thought, honestly, Ferrari would be in the fight for the championship this year.

"And that's what I communicated to Charles, to the team. For me, everything was coming into place.

"I had zero involvement in the development of the '25 car, so I don't know where they went with the balance, with the setup, and why they are struggling to get a result this year out of it.

"But, at the same time, McLaren is just doing an excellent job, and if they are doing such a good job, then it doesn't matter how good you do.

"There's just someone performing at a very high level with two super strong drivers and doing very, very good in F1 right now, and that is McLaren."