"He's less of an intuitive driver": Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz compared by Mark Hughes

F1 correspondent Mark Hughes feels that Charles Leclerc's driving style is different from Carlos Sainz's and it is because of this reason that the Spaniard hasn't had a hint of success in 2023 until now, in contrast to his previous seasons with the team.

He mentioned that there are issues that Sainz has been facing in the SF-23, and while he understands what the issues are, he is unable to find a good solution. There is an apparent mention of the rear wing stability, but that is yet to be solved in a more comprehensive way. When he was asked about Sainz in 2023, he said on The Race F1 podcast,

"It's a bit disappointing, isn't it? As in, 22 and 21, he started a little bit on the backfoot, but, by this time in the previous seasons, he worked his way back on the pace. But there is something about this car which is preventing that."

He also mentioned that Sainz is a little different from Charles Leclerc, who is more natural in driving, and hence it is perhaps easy for them to solve similar issues, but in his way:

"He says he understands it, but is just finding it difficult to do. High-speed rear stability is the problem with his car, it's inconsistent downforce, so it is easily disturbed by difference attitudes or roll, pitch, or wind, and he's of an intuitive driver than Charles Leclerc."

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Carlos Sainz unable to completely understand the problems with his car, in contrast to Charles Leclerc

While mentioning what issues Carlos Sainz has been facing in his SF-23, Hughes added that he is very good at understanding the car and taking out the issues to work on them. However, since it is a little hard for the Ferrari driver to find out the exact places where he is facing problems, it is even harder to work around them.

Hughes said:

"He's someone who is very good at understanding what the requirements are, and going about meeting them. But when there's no understanding of how it reacts and carries the commitments he needs, also setting the car up with more downforce to mask that problem also wouldn't leave Sainz with enough options for how he wants to drive."

Although Carlos Sainz hasn't had the best of seasons so far according to the hosts of the podcast, he is still ten points ahead of Charles Leclerc. This is because of the errors that the Monegasque faced early in the season. Two DNFs (Bahrain and Australia) brought his position down and a crash in Miami qualifying didn't help with that.

Improvements further in the season are expected for Ferrari with developments in the car.