Suzuka Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz again ahead of Charles Leclerc – Ferrari decides badly for the future?

Carlos Sainz smiled. “I’m in good shape this year, driving at a high level,” said the Ferrari driver, enjoying the moment.

Third place in Japan, again the best of the Formula 1 world. And above all: once again ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc. Many Scuderia fans are slowly asking themselves the question: Is Ferrari sending the wrong man at the end of the year?

Why: While Ferrari recently extended Leclerc’s contract, the traditional team will replace Sainz next year with record world champion Lewis Hamilton.

But the relegation seems to have given the Spaniard new impetus. “I’m fast at the moment,” said Sainz, who has been making Leclerc look bad so far this season.

The 29-year-old not only took the Reds’ only win of the season so far in Australia, whenever he was able to drive, the “smooth operator” was quicker to finish than Leclerc.

The result is 3-0 in race results, 2-1 in qualifying matches. And if Sainz had not been out in Saudi Arabia due to additional surgery, he would probably be ahead of his teammate in the World Cup standings.

“If you leave the long-time winner Max Verstappen, he is currently the man in Formula 1 form,” writes the special website “Motorsport-Total” about Sainz, who himself has a simple explanation for his rise: “Just us. the car is improved.”

But Leclerc’s Ferrari has also been quick and smooth on sensitive tyres. The Monegasque is also said to have what it takes to be a world champion. And yet Sainz steals the show. “I’d be lying if I said I was happy,” Leclerc said recently.

And yet next year Leclerc will be allowed to drive the world’s most famous racing car alongside Hamilton, and Sainz will be “the unemployed man of the future,” as he joked recently. But it certainly won’t come to that, he is showing himself very strongly this year. Three races, three times on the podium. These are strong cover letters.

Sainz is “definitely talking to a few teams” and is looking at “the best option for me and my future,” he said in Suzuka and hopes he can sign a new contract with another team “very soon.”

There are rumors, among other things, about a return to Red Bull if Sergio Pérez has to leave. As a reminder: Sainz successfully entered the first class with sister team Toro Rosso in 2015.

After recent strong performances, Leclerc is not the only one who is confident: “Carlos has many different options for 2025, and now it is up to him to make the best choice.” And Ferrari may still be angry.