Carlos Sainz ‘expects’ 1 thing from Charles Leclerc in Ferrari team orders claim

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Carlos Sainz will ‘of course’ be No2 to Charles Leclerc if Ferrari issue team orders but the Spaniard ‘expects’ the same, despite losing the drive to Lewis Hamilton for 2025.

The Scuderia have left Sainz in the awkward position of being without a Formula 1 seat next year before the 2024 season has even started. Ferrari moved to tie Leclerc down with a new contract in January, before speedily coaxing Hamilton from Mercedes with a multi-year deal.

Ferrari were speaking with Sainz about a possible new contract of his own in Maranello. The 29-year-old’s deal expires following the 2024 season and his fourth year at the Scuderia. But a chance to pair Leclerc with seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton proved too enticing.

Carlos Sainz still wants to win Ferrari’s first F1 drivers’ title since 2007

Yet, despite Hamilton taking his drive next year, Sainz still has eyes on becoming a Formula 1 champion with Ferrari. The Madrid native longs to become the 35th driver to win, at least, a title in the pinnacle of motorsport. He can become the 18th one-time champion, then leave.

Hamilton (4) and Max Verstappen (3) have won all of the past seven drivers’ championships since Nico Rosberg triumphed with Mercedes in 2016 then immediately retired. Ferrari have not won a drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen pipped Hamilton by a single point back in 2007.

Ferrari have come close to ending their wait for a drivers’ title with Fernando Alonso in 2010 plus 2012, Sebastian Vettel in 2017 plus 2018 and Leclerc in 2022. But their fight has not run to the final round since 2012. Leclerc ended the 2022 season 146 points behind Verstappen.

Carlos Sainz reveals his stance on team orders with Charles Leclerc

Sainz, just, outscored Leclerc in their first season as teammates at Ferrari in 2021 with 164.5 points to 159. But the Spaniard finished the 2022 season 62 points behind the Monegasque. Only six points separated the pair last year but in the favour of 26-year-old Leclerc with 206.

So, if Leclerc emerges as Ferrari’s lead driver again in 2024 and the Scuderia seek to instruct team orders, Sainz will play ball. But if the shoe is on the other foot, the 29-year-old expects the Scuderia to order Leclerc to support his title challenge even though he is on the way out.

“Of course, I’ve always been a team player,” Sainz said, via quotes by PlanetF1. “Everything I’ve done in Formula 1, I think I’ve been a great team player. I’ve always been exemplary in that sense as a driver for any team.

“I will definitely help Charles if I have to, the same way that I expect Charles to help me if I fight for a world championship myself, too.”