Marko says Sainz shows Leclerc is no 'wonder-boy'
Jan.21 - Charles Leclerc may not be as good a driver as the early hype suggested, according to Dr Helmut Marko.
Red Bull's top Austrian official made the contentious claim whilst analysing how Carlos Sainz has fared since departing the energy drink company's F1 program to race for Renault, McLaren and - now - Ferrari.
Marko, 78, says Spaniard Sainz's performance alongside Leclerc at the great Maranello team last year was particularly interesting to analyse.
"Carlos is a very good racing driver," he said. "He didn't leave Red Bull because of his performance.
"In any case, he has showed that Leclerc is probably not the wonder-boy that many people thought he was," Marko added.
The Austrian thinks that if Ferrari can take a big leap in performance for the new generation of rules that debut in 2022, Sainz is ready for the title.
"The new rules make it difficult to make predictions for this season," said Marko. "But if Ferrari can put in a big performance with the new car, Carlos can definitely compete for the title."
Sainz, 27, was earlier best known as 'Carlos Sainz Jr' - in deference to his famous father, the world rallying legend of the same name.
But Sainz Snr admits: "I think that Carlos is the more naturally talented of us. Purely in terms of driving."
Ferrari driver Sainz commented: "I got the champion mentality from my father. And the eternal hunger to win."
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Could not agree more. So tired of hearing David Croft slobber all over Leclerc. His man crush is so over the top. It's embarrassing.
Quite right.
Sainz proves to be more consistent in performance, and will continue grow as a driver. Leclerc has his moments of brilliance, but also failures.
Another benchmark to praise Sainz we saw at McLaren when Norris and Sainz teamed up, and matched up really nice. Ricciardo is another driver who’s massively overrated.
Quite right.
Sainz proves to be more consistent in performance, and will continue grow as a driver. Leclerc has his moments of brilliance, but also failures.
Another benchmark to praise Sainz we saw at McLaren when Norris and Sainz teamed up, and matched up really nice. Ricciardo is another driver who’s massively overrated.
Helmut Marko isn't completely right, leclerc is very talented as we have seen in the past but for Carlos Sainz, in his first year has shown some very good consistency.
Sainz is better
More crap talked and alleged conflict
Let's see what happens on the track
Talk like that diminishes the spectacle even before it begins
More BS from Marco. At least he was smart enough to snap up Perez.
It is a well know fact that Helmut Marco suffers from extreme delusion and also frequent attacks of verbal diarrhoea.
Why does f1-fansite continue to appease Marco by providing him with a platform for his garbage?
Pleeeease cease publishing the drivel that comes from the mouth of Helmut Marco.
As Sainz was a driver for RB, who else can give a qualified opinion as to whether hes a good driver or than his former employer ?
Marko Mad? well maybe but his overseeing of a still relatively new team to f1 has seen it win 5 wdc
Just saying.......