I think Charles was/is expecting the team to tell the outgoing driver to cool off and let him be the clear #1 for the rest of this season. Carlos just isn’t going to do that.
He plays the team game when it suits him but he and his family are well versed in the politics of motorsport. Carlos knows surrendering to Charles at this point serves no purpose.
More spicy overtakes are coming, from both drivers.
If they wanted a complaisant second driver willing to follow team orders, maybe don’t start with telling that driver he’s gone at the beginning of the season? Why should Sainz yield to Leclerc, he needs to stay performing and ensure he’s impressing other potential teams.
And honestly with how the musical chairs are looking, it’s totally possible he’ll finish 3 or 4 in championship and still miss out on a seat next year.
Either you’re allowed to race or you aren’t.
Just My Opinion
I think Charles was/is expecting the team to tell the outgoing driver to cool off and let him be the clear #1 for the rest of this season. Carlos just isn’t going to do that.
He plays the team game when it suits him but he and his family are well versed in the politics of motorsport. Carlos knows surrendering to Charles at this point serves no purpose.
More spicy overtakes are coming, from both drivers.
Edit: formatting
If they wanted a complaisant second driver willing to follow team orders, maybe don’t start with telling that driver he’s gone at the beginning of the season? Why should Sainz yield to Leclerc, he needs to stay performing and ensure he’s impressing other potential teams.
And honestly with how the musical chairs are looking, it’s totally possible he’ll finish 3 or 4 in championship and still miss out on a seat next year.
It’s an open secret in the paddock that Carlos is destined for Williams, so I don’t foresee him being out of a drive, just not Ferrari obviously.