Does Sainz feel undervalued by his team? The Spaniard responds himself!

Carlos Sainz surprised friend and foe by winning the Australian Grand Prix. The Spaniard had undergone surgery in Saudi Arabia two weeks before because of appendicitis. The three-time race winner was asked after the race if he felt underrated.

Despite Ferrari never stating it, it seems that Charles Leclerc has more of a leadership role within the team. The Monegasque recently signed a new long-term contract with the Scuderia, while Sainz will be replaced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton next season. After the good start to the new season, many people say they feel Sainz is undervalued.

Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris already responded that they do not think the Spaniard is underrated. Sainz himself does not have that feeling either: "I don't know what to say. I guess I agree here with my two favourite teammates. Some kind words there, but I agree with them. I think people that know me or have shared a team with me or people that have worked with me know me. I don't feel underrated by people that know about this sport."

He continued: "Other people that maybe don't have an insight and don't know as much about this sport, if they want to underrate me, I'm fine with that. I don't care, honestly. But I care about the people that know this sport well. About my teammates, people that have seen my data, seen how I work, seen my speed. That's the thing I care about. And I don't feel underrated by them."