Sainz keeps quiet at Ferrari until he can 'bite' Leclerc

Carlos Sainz believes he must pick his moments to capitalise on Charles Leclerc, to beat his teammate in Formula 1.

Last season Leclerc narrowly outscored Sainz in the Drivers' Championship (206 to 200 points). In the three years they have been teammates, Sainz only beat Leclerc during the 2021 season.

The Monogasque driver established an advantage during the switch to ground effect cars in 2022, taking three race wins to Sainz's first win at Silverstone. But last season Sainz stepped up, taking the only win for a non-Red bull driver at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Ferrari are hopeful of being able to utilise some of this momentum to close the gap to Red Bull in 2024, but Sainz believes he also must pick his moments to best his teammate on track.

“The ability he has on a single lap, the ability he has in the race to come back and gain positions at the start… We make a very good pair. We make a very good pairing," Sainz told DAZN Spain.

Sainz: We have healthy competition

Sainz believes that while he must capitalise on the moments to beat Leclerc on track, they must not lose overall sight of the team objective.

“I think we are two drivers who get on very well together. That’s the best thing for the team, to have two drivers pushing each other," said Sainz.

"We have a healthy competition between us, but we always prioritise the team.

“I try to bite when I have to bite and I try to control myself when I have to control myself.”

Leclerc has been reportedly linked to a five-year agreement until the end of the 2029 season with Ferrari, while Sainz is also seeking out a two-year extension for his current deal with the Scuderia.