Carlos Sainz has revealed that he would be willing to accept Ferrari team orders to help Formula 1 team-mate Charles Leclerc, but he suspects that won’t be actioned.
Sainz has endured a challenging time since the season resumed last month as he has accumulated 28 points compared to Leclerc’s 58 over the previous four rounds.
The Spaniard’s struggles have seen him drop 55 points behind the Monegasque in the Drivers’ Championship with six events – including three Sprint races – remaining.
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz laments ‘wasted opportunities’ in recent F1 races
Meanwhile, Leclerc lies between the two McLaren drivers in third place, 34 points below Lando Norris in second spot and 86 back from points leader Max Verstappen.
With Leclerc still in outside title contention, though, Sainz has admitted that he would be prepared to adhere to instructions to help the sister car should that transpire.
But the outgoing Ferrari driver has highlighted that his team-mate’s huge margin to Verstappen means it is improbable that the team will be asking him to move aside.
Asked whether team orders had been discussed at Ferrari, Sainz told media including Motorsport Week: “No, nothing has been discussed because of the probability.
“I think if you look at the numbers and everything, everything is quite far and we will need to wait and see.
“But if the team one day asks me to do so, I’ve always been a team player and I will [do it].”
Leclerc admits 2024 F1 title hopes a long shot
Leclerc, who has claimed three podiums with a race win at Monza since the summer break, has admitted that Ferrari’s SF-24 won’t have the raw pace to steal the title.
The Italian marque has closed the gap to Red Bull to 34 points, but a disappointing round in Singapore last time out has seen the deficit to McLaren grow to 75 points.
But while he has acknowledged that it will be a tall order to reel in the Woking-based squad, Leclerc has urged Ferrari to ensure it can capitalise on potential mistakes.
“I think if we keep being consistent and not having too many missed opportunities, we will do the count at the end and hopefully we’ll be enough to get the Constructors’ [title],” he said.
“But on pure pace, I don’t think we are yet at the level to fight for the Constructors.
“I don’t see ourselves too much in the fight, but if they make mistakes then we might end up in the fight like we are now.”
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