Leclerc and Sainz on 'extra pressure' at Ferrari: 'We have to deal with it'

Ferrari's iconic status puts pressure not only on the drivers but on the entire team. In Italy, in particular, the formation is constantly under a magnifying glass. Asked if he perceives it as unfair that Ferrari is criticised more than some other big names, Leclerc replied: "Unfair or fair, in the end, we are Ferrari. Of course, there's a lot of noise around the team, and we need to deal with it."

He continued: "None of us are happy with the team’s performance, apart from today, of course, where we are quite proud and happy, but the rest of the season for now has been very difficult, and we are also aware. It's normal that people talk a lot about Ferrari because Ferrari is Ferrari and because of all the history they have in the sport. Now it's our duty to do everything to come back to the top. "

Sainz and Leclerc feel no extra pressure, but motivation

Leclerc says he does not feel extra pressure now that F1 has descended on his team's home country, but he does feel extra motivation. "It's a long week for us. We start Monday or Tuesday at the simulator, and then we've got events in Milan. We feel so much support, and you can really feel how much it means to the whole country and how much Ferrari means to them. So it is very special. You can feel the responsibility, but in the end, it's a lot more motivation than pressure," explained the Monegasque.

Sainz underlines his teammate's words. "I wouldn't call it pressure. I would call it a sense of responsibility and a sense of wanting to give this crowd and this country the best possible version of yourself, both off the track and on the track with your performance. Honestly, I cannot be enjoying this weekend more than I've been enjoying it from the beginning, and it's been like that for the last three years since I’ve been a Ferrari driver," said the Spaniard, who starts from pole position in Monza on Sunday.