LAS VEGAS – Charles Leclerc launched an astonishing, expletive-laden tirade against Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Leclerc finished fourth, one place behind Sainz, after the pair swapped positions during the race.

At a crucial point in their respective races, Sainz passed Leclerc, shortly after the latter had exited a pit stop.

When Leclerc came out of the pits after his second stop, race engineer Bryan Bozzi told him that Sainz was not far behind.

“Carlos has been told not to overtake, but it is very close. He could be right at the front,” said Bozzi. Then he gave him another message: “He’s been told not to pressure you, so just take care of your tires.”

At the same time, Sainz passed Leclerc on the right.

On the radio channel there was a brief static noise as Leclerc appeared to open and then close his radio channel.

A moment later he replied: “Maybe try in Spanish”

After the race, Leclerc railed against Ferrari.

The next exchange took place between Leclerc and Bozzi, who started by instructing him to pack rubber on his tires, as is customary for an in-lap back to the pits.

At the end of the conversation, Leclerc seemed to realize that he had left his radio on.

Bozzi: “Pick up, please.”

Leclerc: “Yes. Whatever you want. As always.”

Bozzi: “Charles, you did your job, okay. Thanks.”

Leclerc: “Yes. (laughing) Yes, yes. Yes, I did my job, but being nice f—s me all the time, all the time. It’s not even being nice, it’s just respectful. I I know I should keep my mouth shut, but…

Bozzi: “Charles, Charles…”

Leclerc: “…At some point it’s always the same. So. Ahhh my damn God.”

Bryan: “Okay. But anyway… you did the right thing for the team. And please answer.”

Leclerc: “Yes, yes. I pick up what we want. And the radio is on. I’m sorry. That wasn’t me.”

The onboard shot showed Leclerc hitting his steering wheel with both hands as he continued to drive back to the pits.

Leclerc did not speak much about the incident after the race.

Later, Sainz told Sky Italy in the media pen: “I agreed not to talk to the media, because here we always talk, we always make a mess. I agreed with him not to say anything to the media.”

When asked if they didn’t need to talk it out, he added: “No, no. It’s between me and him. I never turn on the radio, I never talk to the media because I don’t like it. fun to do. It’s not necessary.”

When told that Sainz had said they were working better together than ever, and then asked if he agreed, Leclerc simply replied: “Yes.”

Leclerc then hinted that he had let Sainz pass earlier in the race without instructions from the team.

“I think I did it on the first straight and I didn’t even have the message from the team. I said on the radio that I’m going to do it.”