Leclerc reveals mile-high talks with Sainz

Charles Leclerc has confirmed he and Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz have cleared the air following their Spanish Grand Prix fallout.

Sainz and Leclerc made light contact during Sunday's race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, forcing the Spanish driver to take to an escape road, albeit staying ahead of his team-mate. The Monégasque, however, finished ahead at the chequered flag.

Sustaining slight damage to his front wing, Leclerc blamed Sainz for costing him a potential shot at fourth place after finishing just 0.039s adrift of Mercedes' George Russell.

Leclerc added fuel to the fire by claiming Sainz was "super motivated to do something spectacular" given it was his home race and as he chases a future drive with another team.

Sainz responded by stating that Leclerc "complains too many times after a race about something", indicating friction building between the two in the former's final season with the team.

As to whether he had any concerns going forward their last few months together could turn ugly, Leclerc replied: "For our relationship, not at all, just because we flew back on the same plane Sunday night and it was a matter of seeing each other, and it's all good.

"We had a discussion, as always. I think the issue always seems huge from the outside but then between us we know each other so well over so many years.

"We know that after the race there's tension. We are both in the heat of the moment disappointed with each other and then we speak together and all is good.

"So I have absolutely no...yeah, I'm not worried at all for our relationship going forward.

"Even in a race where it was a bit more tense, which happened in the past, and it may be not the last time, but all the time we've managed that by speaking to each other, and then it's all good going forward, and [now] it's just the same so I'm not worried at all."

With Sainz on his way out at the end of the season to accommodate the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, it would be unsurprising if the dynamic between him and Leclerc had not altered to a certain extent.

Yet Leclerc has maintained that he and Sainz "have been working very, very well". He added: "In the past, we also had those moments where it's tricky in between team-mates, especially when we are so close to each other.

"These moments happen and it's all about how you deal with it afterwards face to face. This has always been done very, very well between Carlos and myself, so I have no worries about going forward, and I honestly haven't seen any change.

"In the end, we are professionals. We know that it's good for both of us if there's a good relationship within the team and that we work well together on track.

"Sometimes I'll go a bit over the limit, sometimes Carlos will go a little bit over the limit, and then it's all about speaking to each other and resetting. I have no worries going forward that it won't be the case anymore."