“I’ve followed every single team order” : Carlos Sainz reveals Ferrari’s instructions in home race regarding Charles Leclerc

Home hero Carlos Sainz had a forgettable weekend at the recently concluded Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Now, the young Spaniard has stirred controversy with his comments regarding the race in Barcelona at the Austrian Grand Prix media session.

After a dismal race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last Sunday, Sainz is likely gearing up for a better weekend in Austria. However, during the mandatory media session, the #55 driver opened up about the lap 3 incident with his Scuderia Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

Sainz further explained how he has been a team player for four years and has always respected team orders. To highlight his commitment to the team, he pointed out the team order at the latter stage of the race, where he let Leclerc pass him.

Check out this X fan page's post with the following caption:

"Speaking in his #AustrianGP media session, Carlos Sainz says there was no agreement in place to save tyres and hold position on the opening laps of the #SpanishGP after passing Charles Leclerc. He added that he has respected every team order in his four seasons with Ferrari. #F1"

Despite the early-race clash, Leclerc claimed there is no misunderstanding between the Ferrari duos.

“At the end we are professionals, and we know that it’s good for both of us if there’s a good relationship within the team, that we work well together on track. Sometimes I will go a bit over the limit, sometimes Carlos will go a little bit over the limit, and then it’s all about speaking to each other and reset," Leclerc said during the media session.

After two consecutive disappointing weekends in Canada and Spain, Leclerc is hopeful that Ferrari can bounce back in Austria.

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Here's a brief look at Carlos Sainz's performance in the 2024 Formula 1 season so far

Carlos Sainz started the 2024 Formula 1 season on a positive note, despite his contract with Scuderia Ferrari ending this season. The 25-year-old Spanish driver will make way for Lewis Hamilton next year.

Sainz ended his first three races of the season on the podium (Third place in Bahrain and Japan and First place in Australia). He missed out on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to undergo an emergency appendectomy. However, with McLaren bringing performance upgrades, Both Charles Leclerc and Sainz were pushed out of contention for the podium by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, respectively.

The #55 driver finished in fifth place in China, Miami, and Emilia Romagna (Ferrari's home race). He then managed to hold off Norris to capture the third position in Monaco. However, at the wet-and-dry Canadian Grand Prix, Sainz DNFed after spinning out and collecting damage to his race car.

In Spain, Sainz lost out to his teammate, who was on a faster strategy. He finished the race in sixth place.