Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz say a title charge is on at Ferrari

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Ferrari: Leclerc, Sainz & Binotto discuss title chances after Bahrain clean sweep

By George Dagless

Published Mar 21, 2022

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have said they're ready to fight for the world title after Ferrari stormed the Bahrain Grand Prix

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 20: Race winner Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari and Second placed Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 20, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Ferrari are back! The Scuderia have stormed into 2022 and they mean business, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both saying that a title challenge could now be on after their one-two finish in Bahrain.

Pre-season saw the playing down of expectations by the Italian team, as well as several other garages, but Ferrari will surely admit, after looking very strong in Bahrain, that they are well in with a chance of winning both championships this season.

Indeed, post-race in Bahrain, both Leclerc and Sainz could not deny that a title run is possible this year.

"Coming into the season we surely knew that we were going to be in a better position compared to the past two years but we didn't really know where," said Leclerc.

"And now we see that we are actually in the mix to fight for the title so it's amazing! We'll fight for it, for sure."

"It's just great news for Ferrari and for us because it's where Ferrari should be, and it's where Charles and I want to be in our lives, fighting for World Championships," explained Sainz.

"It's still going to be a long year, we still need to make sure that we develop well this car, because at the moment it is a quick car, but it also needs to be quick the whole year, to keep us in the fight."

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 19: Pole position qualifier Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 19, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto though, was typically a little more conservative, with him saying he will "wait at least four or five races" before making judgement.

Perhaps Binotto is wise to do so but deep down he must know that his team has aced the new regulations, and now they need to keep their foot down over the remaining 22 Grands Prix.

Red Bull, and surely Mercedes eventually, will be keeping them on their toes and, most exciting of all, it looks as though we've got a real tussle on our hands for both championships once again!