Watch: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz involved in an intense discussion after the F1 Spanish GP

Minutes after the Spanish Grand Prix race conclusion, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were involved in a serious conversation in the paddock. As seen in multiple videos that surfaced on social media, Leclerc walked up to Sainz to speak on their on-track tussles, while Valtteri Bottas looked on.

Formula 1 was in Spain for the 10th race of the 2024 season, where Max Verstappen denied Lando Norris yet another race-winning opportunity. Lewis Hamilton came home in P3 to secure the last podium place.

A user on X shared a clip of the drivers engaged in a discussion with the caption:

"Uh-oh, a tense atmosphere had developed"

The Ferrari duo finished the race in P5 and P6, respectively, which was one reason for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to have a fallout. The Monegasque was half a second short of P4 of George Russell, and he felt that the on-track collision with the Spanish driver damaged his front wing and jeopardized his race.

“It wasn't the moment to fight. After the briefing, we agreed we had to save the tyres. I did, but Sainz didn't. He damaged my front wing. I guess he wanted to impress at his home race considering the moment in his career," the #16 driver said during the post-race interview.

However, the 29-year-old was in no mood to listen to Leclerc's "complaints." In the post-race conference, he said,

“It’s too many times after the race that he complains about something.”

Following this, he added,

"Charles wasn't happy with me? For me it was clear, we had a new soft, and we had to attack. I don't know what happened to him in the first lap, but I couldn't stay behind him all my life. I don't know what he's complaining about this time.”

During Lap 3 of 66, Leclerc and Sainz got into a wheel-to-wheel tussle, where Sainz, using the DRS, tried to muscle past Leclerc. However, the Spaniard ran out of room and tried the escape route to move ahead in P5.

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Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz's rivalry so far

Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari SF-24 and Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 battle for track position during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Courtesy: Getty

Throughout their four years of journey together, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have always tried to outwit each other. While the Monegasque succeeded twice (2022, 2023), leaving only one chance for the Spanish driver (2021).

Coming into 2024, they are on an even keel as well. After ten races, Charles Leclerc has a win, a pole position, and five podiums in his tally. Compared to him, the Spaniard has one win and four podiums in nine races.

Charles Leclerc is in the P3 of the Drivers' Championship with 148 points. On the other hand, Sainz is in P4 with 116 points. Notably, the 2024 season is Sainz's last season at Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton is all set to replace him next season.