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Ferrari teammates Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc shared a heartwarming moment behind their sim racing gig as they head into the season's final race. The former will depart from the team post this season and will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton.
The 2024 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the last race in which Sainz and Leclerc will participate in as teammates. They are currently in a battle with McLaren to clinch their first constructors' title since 2008. While the chances of that are seemingly less, the race weekend is also important for the two as they have grown an emotional bond over four seasons.
Reviewing the Yas Marina circuit and the Abu Dhabi GP in a video from Ferrari, both teammates mentioned that the track isn't very special for them, but it is an important weekend.
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"I like it," Sainz told Leclerc when he asked him about the circuit. "Nothing special though. You?"
"I like it. I really like it actually," Leclerc replied.
"You really like the track? Don't lie just because we're in Abu Dhabi," Carlos Sainz exclaimed.
"Actually, you're right. The track is nothing special. However, it's probably one of my favorite weekend of the year."
Carlos Sainz, who is departing from the team, then mentioned that it would be their final race together as teammates, mimicking a crying voice.
"Anyway, Charles, you wanna know something? It's our last race together, as teammates."
"This is actually very sad, what you're saying. It was a happy challenge until you mentioned that."
Carlos Sainz joined the team in 2021 and the two have been racing together since. They achieved their best championship position after finishing as runner-up in the 2022 season. This season as well, they are likely to finish in the same place, however, there is a mathematical possibility for them to win the title.
Ferrari boss outlines possibility to win championship as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc head into the season finale
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur estimates that there is a very slim chance for the team to win the title against McLaren. There is currently a 21-point gap between the two teams at the top of the table and even if the Scuderia extract the maximum points in the weekend, McLaren can grab the title by finishing right behind them.
"Let’s be honest, it is a mathematical possibility, but in reality it will be very difficult to achieve, because even if we finish first and second, McLaren with its 21 point lead going into this race can afford to finish third and fourth, or even worse and still have the edge," Vasseur said during the Abu Dhabi weekend preview. "But Ferrari has always liked a challenge! If we can once again produce a perfect weekend from start to finish, we will at least be in with a chance and be able leave Abu Dhabi saying we gave it our best shot."
Ferrari has not won a title since the 2008 season when it won the constructors' championship with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.
