Ferrari: Leclerc/Sainz 'free to fight' despite points gap

Ferrari Formula 1 drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz remain “free to fight” with team boss Mattia Binotto believing it’s too early to employ team orders.

The Italian outfit has made its best start to a season in the V6 hybrid era, winning two of the opening thee races – both courtesy of Leclerc.

Leclerc’s present form has seen him lead the drivers’ championship for the first time in his F1 career, and with team-mate Sainz retiring in Australia, he sits 38 points clear of the Spaniard.

But while Leclerc’s points advantage over Sainz is an early indicator for Ferrari to consider offering full support to one of its drivers, Binotto stresses both drivers are allowed to battle for race wins with a long way to go in the season.

“It’s only three races which have been done now,” Binotto explained, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “There are still 20 races left, hopefully 19 or 20. So the championship is still very long.

“Our drivers are free to fight, and I am really looking forward and enjoying that they are battling for a good place, and first place, if possible.”

Ferrari’s extra time to develop its 2022 car has seemingly paid off in the first three races, with the F1-75 proving fast on every type of circuit so far.

Leclerc is clear that unlike Ferrari’s previous designs he isn’t having to overdrive the car to get the most out of it, relishing the challenge of driving race-winning machinery.

“It is a very strong car for sure,” Leclerc said. “I think until now it’s fitting my driving well. I understood the car very early in the season and I think that is helping me for now.

“This has been a good surprise. But yeah, we need to keep pushing obviously. For now, it’s going extremely well.”

Ferrari heads to its home race at Imola