Charles Leclerc has expressed frustration over the online speculation suggesting a rift between him and his soon-to-depart Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz.
The Monegasque driver responded after a brief video circulated widely, showing Sainz celebrating his victory at the Mexico GP while Leclerc seemed to deliberately ignore him.
Some fans interpreted the clip as Leclerc publicly dismissing Sainz, with the Spaniard visibly reacting to what appeared to be Leclerc's lack of enthusiasm. Rumors quickly spread that Leclerc was upset due to comments made about him on the team radio during the race.
"I am very angry about the comments I have seen," Leclerc told Sky Deutschland when asked about the incident. "People judged me based on a two-second video clip."
Leclerc clarified that he had already congratulated Sainz before the clip was recorded and had no idea what Sainz had said on the radio. "Before the video, I went to say hello to Carlos, and there was no tension in the situation because I didn't know what he had said on the radio during the race," he added.