Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP
Sainz willing to help Leclerc beat Perez in Abu Dhabi GP
Carlos Sainz says he would have no problem helping Charles Leclerc beat Sergio Perez to second place in the Formula 1 drivers' championship in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Filip Cleeren Luke Smith
Edited: Nov 20, 2022, 10:36 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Leclerc and Perez head into F1's 2022 season finale on equal points, so whoever finishes the highest in Sunday's race will wrap up the position behind sovereign world champion Max Verstappen.
For all its world titles, it would be the first 1-2 finish in the drivers' championship in Red Bull Racing's history, and it would also be the best finish for a Ferrari driver since Sebastian Vettel in 2018.
The battle for second came into focus at last weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, in which Verstappen refused to let Perez past for sixth place due to an undisclosed disagreement between the two earlier this season.
After the race talks were held between both drivers and Red Bull's management, with Verstappen promising he would help his Mexican teammate in Abu Dhabi if needed.
On Ferrari's side the topic has not caused any friction, with Sainz declaring on Saturday that he would be happy to help Leclerc if Ferrari asks him.
"I think if Charles needs it, I will give him a hand, but I guess first he needs to beat Checo himself in the championship," Sainz said.
"I'll focus on my own race and trying to finish the season with a podium, on a high, but if the team asks me to let him by or help him in the fight with Checo I will do so.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
"We need to play by the moment and see where everyone is at what time. I've never had a problem with letting anyone by in the race with any teammate.
"I don't think it should be a problem for me, I'm just going to focus on finishing the season strongly.
"I had a very strong quali, I was very quick so I should be quick in the race."
Sainz thinks Leclerc's challenge for second looks set to be tough as Red Bull proved the class of the field in qualifying, with Perez qualifying second behind polesitter Verstappen and one spot ahead of Leclerc.
"There's not a lot of corners on this track now so to be to three tenths off Red Bull, I think they just dominated the whole weekend," the Spaniard added.
"They've been just quite a big step quicker than us in every run. In quali we did come closer but they still have the upper hand which normally means that in the race, they should be even quicker.
"In the race we will try and beat them but our race and our focus is also on Mercedes. Mercedes is normally quicker in the races, so I think it's going to be an interesting fight."
Read Also:
- Perez regrets Verstappen F1 comments after Brazil team orders row
- Red Bull planned two Verstappen tows for Perez in F1 qualifying
- Binotto "relaxed" about Ferrari F1 future after exit reports
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article McLaren launches recruitment drive to help address F1 "weaknesses"
Next article Schumacher: "Humbling" to hear of Mercedes’ interest in 2023 F1 reserve role
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Filip Cleeren
Esteban Ocon issues statement after Haas benching, denies physical altercation rumours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
22 h
Esteban Ocon issues statement after Haas benching, denies physical altercation rumours
Lewis Hamilton buoyed by historic first Ferrari F1 pole: "I still love what I do"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
23 h
Lewis Hamilton buoyed by historic first Ferrari F1 pole: "I still love what I do"
Latest news
FIA stewards explain Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty in F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
43 min
FIA stewards explain Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty in F1 Mexico GP
LIVE: F1 Mexico GP updates - Can Kimi Antonelli seal the title?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
LIVE: F1 Mexico GP updates - Can Kimi Antonelli seal the title?
What does Yamaha’s shock MotoGP boycott mean for F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Qatar GP
3 h
What does Yamaha’s shock MotoGP boycott mean for F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe