Carlos Sainz has a word of warning for Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc continues his rise.
The four-time world champion was left playing a support role to the Monegasque last weekend in Belgium, first letting him through via a team order and holding up Lewis Hamilton for as long as possible.
It was a race that has triggered further comments on the balance of power within the Italian team, and Sainz added his voice to those suggesting a change is on the way.
“If I was Vettel I would worry about Sundays the most,” he told Spanish broadcaster Movistar.
“On Saturday, a young guy like Leclerc can beat him, but if Leclerc also has that pace on Sunday then it’s a big worry.”
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Heading into the summer break, F1 was also contemplating whether Max Verstappen had now matched Hamilton as the best driver on the grid.
While Sainz thinks yes, he also admits his former Toro Rosso teammate doesn’t quite have the consistency.
“Hamilton, I give a 9 or a 10,” he rated. “Since [Nico] Rosberg left, he’s been at a very high level with less pressure. Verstappen is almost better, but at Spa, he did the wrong thing.
[Valtteri] Bottas is always there, but he doesn’t finish it off. He is at a very high level, but Hamilton has something that is difficult to explain.
“He’s so relaxed like he’s smoking a cigar.”
As for Sainz himself, he has found himself a new home at McLaren this season after switching from Renault and also departing the Red Bull program at the same time.
While it was a move that ruled him out of the current melee between Alex Albon, Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly for a seat at the senior team, the 23-year-old has no regrets.
“I’m doing well, I’m happy, I don’t miss Red Bull. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Sainz claimed.
“On a personal level I knew that such a streak was inside me, that I could enjoy F1 like I never had before.
“In the midfield, being so consistent, it gives you things, it means that things are being done very well.”
Indeed, Sainz currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ standings and will fancy his chances of catching Gasly for sixth after the Frenchman’s return to Toro Rosso.
