22/03/2016
NEWS STORY
Carlos Sainz has dismissed speculation that teammate Max Verstappen's attitude will lead to rift.
While there is no doubting the Dutch teenager's talent, many believe the youngster risks causing a rift within his team unless he curbs his aggressive determination.
For lap after lap Verstappen ordered his team to tell teammate Sainz to move aside as the pair pursued Jolyon palmer during Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.
As the Spaniard, no slouch himself, played cat and mouse with the Renault driver, Verstappen's eagerness got the better of him.
The youngster's ire was first drawn when Sainz was called on to pit first. "I wanted to pit first," moaned Verstappen. And so, as he found himself behind his teammate, eager get past him and the Renault in front, the calls became more heated.
"Can I try to get past? Let me drive, this takes too long," he complained, followed by "come on we have to do something!" and "it's a joke."
Eventually Sainz found a way past the Renault, teammate Verstappen following through. Shortly after however, the Dutch youngster spun after clipping the rear of his teammate's car in a move that could have seen both drivers eliminated.
At a post-race debrief Verstappen is understood to have slammed the office door, a move that will hardly help his reputation as a petulant teenager.
However, Sainz has dismissed speculation that the outburst will damage his relationship with the Dutch teenager.
"I think it is a healthy rivalry," he told the official F1 website. "At least from my side I have absolutely no issues with anyone.
"There was not much radio communication, not a lot to understand," he added. "I just know I was behind Jolyon, they told me to push and I overtook him. Then I arrived to the Williams (Bottas) and they were absolutely flying on the straight. I overtook eight or 10 cars I think, so I was not missing any overtaking moves, it was just quite tough on some of them. It's not an easy track to overtake on.
"I received a touch from behind, and saw Max spinning in my mirrors," he said of the clash. "It was a very interesting race, on the limit, but that's how Formula One should be.
"I think we deserved a lot more for the final position, especially with so many overtakes," he concluded. "But I enjoyed it a lot and I think there should be no issues, at least from my side."
Spoken like a true gentleman.