Sainz reveals regular arguments with Leclerc at Ferrari: 'Two or three times a year we always had a discussion'

Speaking at Thursday's FIA press conference in Madrid ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Sainz was asked for his take on the fallout from last week's Monza collision between the two Ferrari drivers. The Spaniard was forthcoming about how often disagreements arose during his time alongside Leclerc.

Sainz was Leclerc's teammate between 2021 and 2024, before being replaced by Hamilton. Their partnership produced its share of friction, including at the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, where Sainz accused Leclerc of "complaining too much" after on-track contact in Barcelona. Yet every dispute, according to the Spaniard, was resolved quickly and privately.

Sainz also recalled his own intense battle with Leclerc at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, where the pair fought hard for a podium position. While that duel was fierce, the Spaniard explained that both drivers understood the unspoken obligation of racing in red at Monza.

His characterisation of teammate clashes as predictable stands in sharp contrast to the reaction that followed the Italian Grand Prix. As GPblog has reported, Rosberg and Brundle clashed on air over who was at fault, while Italian press questioned whether Vasseur's position was under threat. Leclerc has since acknowledged he went too far at Turn 2 in a private conversation with Hamilton, though formal rules of engagement have not yet been agreed.

Sitting alongside Sainz in the press conference was Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate. Asked about the rules of engagement that existed during his time alongside the seven-time champion, the Cadillac driver was guarded but revealing.