'Getting along with my teammate is ultimately in my own interest'

It was expected that Carlos Sainz would have a hard time alongside Charles Leclerc in 2021, but the Spaniard actually managed to beat his new team-mate. According to him, this is partly due to the trust and atmosphere within the team.

Sainz has been on the Formula 1 grid since 2015 and has driven for several teams. He started his career at Toro Rosso and then spent two years at both Renault and McLaren. Meanwhile, in 2021 he completed his first season as a Ferrari driver and he proved that he can stay close to Leclerc.

The speed that the 27-year-old driver has shown has to do with investing a lot of time and energy, but also with the atmosphere within the team. You have to feel comfortable with a team and as drivers you have to get along he admits. "In F1 there is enough pressure and competition and bad times without having to put a bigger burden on yourself within your own team," Sainz told AS.

So, the atmosphere at Ferrari is great according to the former McLaren driver and that is important for both drivers and the team. If two drivers are not on the same page, it becomes very difficult for everyone. If the atmosphere remains good, the drivers can also perform better. "Getting along with my teammate is ultimately in my own interest."