Las Vegas GP: Ferrari's Poor Management

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Last weekend, at the Las Vegas GP, harsh words were thrown. This is about Ferrari, and their management of their two drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Carlos and Charles' friendship, camaraderie and rivalry started in 2021, when Carlos had signed with Ferrari, joining the already winning prince of Ferrari, Charles.

From there, their friendship, yet amicable rivalry only blossomed, and many fans deem it one of the nicest on — and off track friendships. Yet, what takes to ruin a friendship so nicely crafted? Could it crumble only based off of their own efforts and faults or, could others take part in it's downfall?

Let's take a look at the situation from this year. Carlos had been announced to sign with Williams for the 2025 season, infinitely splitting the Ferrari duo, as Charles remains with Ferrari. Nonetheless, Carlos' contract expiration, and Lewis Hamilton being signed in his seat, had been announced ever since before the 2024 season started. And while Carlos was wagering his options, said option poll became slimmer and slimmer.

Most of this season was eventless for the two, yet at the Las Vegas GP, said friendship, might've come to a bitter end prematurely, as most expected it to be a bittersweet ending at Yas Marina, the last race of the season.

Leclerc had a splendid start to the race, having overtaken both Sainz and Gasly, going to take the first place from Russell, yet his problems with his medium tires made him have to step back, not being able to keep up with Russell's pace, which led him to drop to 4th place by lap 8. Lap 10, Charles was called in to the pits.

In lap 27, both Carlos and Charles have been asked to swap positions, as Charles is ahead of Carlos in the drivers' championship standings, in 2nd place, right behind Lando Norris. After switching positions, Lewis Hamilton had been inching behind the scuderia drivers. Sainz got in the lane for the pits, closely being followed by Lewis, yet, right before entering pit lane, Carlos cut the line, and continued on the track.

Lap 29, Sainz finally pitted properly. He asked his team what happened, being replied to with "we were not ready". This inevitably angered the Spaniard, which ended up telling his team to "wake up".

Speculatively, Carlos had been told, that if he keeps his performance up, better teams like Redbull — where he has driven before, would reach out and offer him a spot. Therefore, a lot of people say his dismissal of the rule for the position swap instilled by Ferrari was validated. In the end Carlos was not willing to abide by the rule, and give Charles the position back, defending and increasing the pace.

Charles, by the end of the race was furious, and ended up throwing around heavy words that could have gotten him a hefty punishment by the FIA, all while remarking over the radio, how being nice never works out for him in the end, and stated that "It's not even about being nice, It's just being respectful."

Although after the race, when Charles had calmed down and was asked if he feels like Ferrari had favored Carlos, and he answered with: "No, no, no, it’s not about favoring one or the other, it’s about things that we have been told. But that’s all good. Again, I’ve already said too much, so I don’t want to go into the details whatsoever."

Fans watching this race all across the world wondered, what happened? Did their strive for success and their rivalry take control, and leave them both angry at each other, or, is everything between them behind the scenes alright?

Charles has followed up during the media day of the Qatar Grand Prix week, and confirmed everything between him and Carlos is alright, and their friendship is still shining, so, i guess there was no reason to worry after all.