Should Ferrari already establish a hierarchy between Leclerc and Sainz?

Facts : Leader of the world championship with a comfortable lead of 34 points over George Russell and 36 points over Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc has had a high-flying start to the season with two victories in three races. Facing a stable Red Bull in working order behind Max Verstappen, must Ferrari establish a clear hierarchy and that Carlos Sainz puts himself at the service of the Monegasque from Imola?

Yes, by Valentin Glo

Mattia Binotto said it himself at the end of last year, well before the first deadlines of the current season: “For the drivers, as we often say, I think it's the track that will decide. » Unfortunately for Carlos Sainz, the track already seems to have been decided. In three races, the Spaniard, despite his faithful consistency displayed in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia (two podiums), has never been able to worry Charles Leclerc. The old pilot McLaren himself admitted that he was a few tenths short of being able to compete with his Monegasque teammate. It was by wanting to get a few extra tenths that Sainz missed out in qualifying in Australia. Only ninth on the grid, the Iberian found himself in difficulty in the peloton before making a mistake.

“A difficult weekend to digest. » Especially since in front, Charles Leclerc did not hesitate to pocket his first career Grand Slam. 26 additional points which bring his total to 71, and above all 46 units ahead of Max Verstappen once again let down by his car in Melbourne. Such a lead in the championship must not be misused and if a few Sainz races must be sacrificed on the altar of a first Drivers' title for the Scuderia in 15 years, Maranello must not hesitate.

Being currently the only team to combine speed and reliability, Ferrari benefits from a clear advantage over the rest of the field and only one of its drivers is currently able to make it bear fruit, but how much time remains? he has Prancing Horse before seeing his opponents return to the race? If Mattia Binotto judges Ferrari better equipped than in the past to hold its place in the race for development, it must take advantage of its advantage now. It is therefore the time to capitalize on the pace and reliability of the Monegasque, in order to build up a sufficiently large cushion for the rest of the season.

No, by Jérémy Satis

Sacrificing Carlos Sainz after just three rounds would be a big strategic mistake on Ferrari's part. It's not like the Spaniard is parked, or out of the picture. As a reminder, he finished on the podium in Bahrain and Jeddah, where he came quite close to pole. Certainly, in Melbourne, he experienced his worst weekend in red, with a first retirement in his new tunic. But this was the result of a lot of contrary elements which gradually ruined his weekend. In Q3, he had to abort his first run a second before crossing the line, due to a red flag, while his second run was compromised by leaving the pits too late due to a recalcitrant engine. 'ignition. Not to mention his steering wheel problems at the start, with the unexpected activation of the anti-stall system. The mistake in the race was his, but with twenty Grands Prix remaining in the season, it would simply be counterproductive to lock him into a No. 2 pattern, which would ruin his confidence and motivation. And then, the Madrilenian proved, last year, that he was capable of rising to the level of Leclerc.

With all the fights happening, Ferrari cannot afford to castrate one of its drivers. At least not for the moment. To be Constructors' champion, which is obviously a real objective for the Scuderia, it will need two drivers whose teeth scratch the floor, certainly not a Sainz sacrificing his own races to stall in order to delay Verstappen or whoever. 'other. And then, did Charles Leclerc really need Sainz until then? No. Even when he left alone against the two Red Bull drivers in Melbourne, the Monegasque was able to put himself out of their reach thanks to very good stints. Between two hotheads, perhaps instructions and an established hierarchy would have been necessary. But between their good understanding, their great mutual intelligence and the enormous respect they have for each other, the two Carlitos don't need that. If and when it becomes necessary, Sainz will be able to put himself at the service of his teammate. On time.

ALSO READ > Leclerc: “We must continue at this pace”