Sainz gets no advice from Leclerc: 'He doesn't need it'

Carlos Sainz has completed his testing days for Ferrari and is now looking forward to the start of the season. His new teammate Charles Leclerc welcomed Sainz to the team and doesn't expect him to cause any problems.

New challenge for Sainz

This week Ferrari came into action for five days at its own Fiorano test track. Young talents were given the chance, but also Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc stepped into the 2018 Ferrari. This allowed Leclerc to get a first look at his new teammate at Ferrari, whom he wishes (for now) all the best at his new team.

''I am very happy for Carlos, because Ferrari is a great opportunity for him. In 2020 he showed that he can perform very consistently in races and he is a challenge for me that I am already looking forward to.''

According to Leclerc, however, the Spaniard does not need any advice from him. ''If Carlos has made it this far, he doesn't need my advice,'' the Monegasque told Sky Italia.

No number one at Ferrari

''Carlos knows exactly what he's doing and testing at Fiorano was good for his confidence in the car. Testing with the 2018 car is useful because the whole process is the same as in 2021. Of course I know Ferrari a bit better, but that's where it ends,'' Leclerc said. Mattia Binotto also makes it clear once again that Leclerc will not be number one from the start.

''The atmosphere within the team is very important and ultimately we have to make sure that Ferrari is on top. On the track we can see who is first and who is second, but that is always the case, even in Michael Schumacher's time. We always started at the same time, but after three races you could see who was number one. I don't expect any problems with Leclerc and Sainz there either,'' concludes the Ferrari team boss.