03 September 2023 , 18:00
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Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc heaped praise on one another for their "tough, hard racing" after making the Monza crowd nervous with their antics during the Italian Grand Prix.
The Tifosi dreamed of a famous Monza victory. But, knowing that the Red Bulls are in another league, all the fans really wanted was a podium and to be best of the rest.
Ferrari managed exactly that. Sainz finished third, having started on pole, with Leclerc just behind him to secure as many points as they were likely to get from the race.
But there were several heart-stopping moments as they fought each other very hard for that podium spot. At one point they made contact and, in another close call at the start of the final lap, a lock-up from Leclerc almost took both of them out.
Perhaps slightly relieved that they both came through it unscathed, the Ferrari drivers were very complimentary towards one another. "It was tough, hard racing, and it's always been a pleasure to race Charles whenever we have had the chance," said Sainz.
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"Today was the same. He is a great racer, the same as Max [Verstappen] and Checo [Perez]. We had fun out there and I hope the fans enjoyed it. You cannot get any tougher than that what it was today, honestly I was pushing the whole race to keep the Red Bull behind."
Leclerc concurred, and said in a separate interview: "This is what racing should be all the time, in my opinion. This reminds me of the karting days when we were all on the limits. With Max we have had these battles in the past, with Checo we have had these battles in the past and with Carlos today, it was really on the limit.
Carlos Sainz survived the battle to join Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez on the podium (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)"I personally really enjoyed it. There were so many moments were it was really tricky. But, I don't complain, this is why I love racing. The adrenaline you feel fighting each other, it was really fun."
Speaking on Sky Sports immediately after that interview, Nico Rosberg was not convinced about Leclerc's words. He said: "There's something a bit strange. I mean, 'I had such a lovely fight and what a great day and I'm gonna have a beer with Carlos, we're gonna have a laugh'. I'm not sure about that.
"Because I mean, seriously, Carlos on one of those occasions was over the limit. He locked up on the inside, he went off the track and took Charles with him and, as team-mates, that's the one where that's a bit over the edge and so I'm not sure what's going on there.
"I was looking and I was trying to figure out, is this genuine now? And yes, I think it was genuine, you know, so I'm struggling. Is he too nice or what's going on?"