Ferrari’s strong start to the 2024 Formula 1 season hit a bump in the road at the Chinese GP, as the team failed to finish on the podium for the first time this year. Instead of focusing on their rivalry with Red Bull, the spotlight was on the internal battle between drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, marked by incidents in both the Saturday Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Leclerc accused Sainz of pushing too hard in their fight for fourth in the Sprint, leading to contact between their cars. In the main race, Sainz felt disadvantaged when Leclerc forced him wide at the start, costing them both positions. Sainz’s frustration stemmed from knowing that he will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, raising questions about his motivation. Commentator David Croft suggested that Ferrari may need to speak to their drivers again to emphasize that their duels must not harm the team’s overall performance. Croft also pointed out that McLaren’s strong showing in China means Leclerc and Sainz cannot afford to take each other out. Despite the disappointing result in Shanghai, Leclerc remains hopeful about Ferrari’s upcoming car update, which he believes could be a game-changer. The new package is expected to arrive in time for the Miami GP, the season’s second consecutive Sprint weekend.