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Carlos Sainz’s ‘stop inventing’ radio message to Ferrari before his first Formula 1 win was ‘not well received’, according to Antonio Lobato.
Sainz took his maiden pole and victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix, his 32nd race for Ferrari. The Spaniard initially lost the lead to eventual world champion Max Verstappen but regained it when the Red Bull driver ran over debris.
Teammate Charles Leclerc stayed out during a late safety car period, which saw him briefly take the lead. Sainz passed him on fresh tyres and won the race by just under four seconds as Leclerc dropped off the podium.
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Carlos Sainz radio before first F1 win ‘bothered’ Ferrari
Shortly before the restart, Ferrari asked Sainz to drop 10 metres behind Leclerc, giving the sister car more protection against Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton.
He replied: “Guys, I’m under pressure from Hamilton, please don’t ask these things. Please. Please. Let’s just stop inventing. Stop inventing. I’m under pressure also.”
According to Lobato, who relived the race in a recent DAZN broadcast, this message didn’t go down well inside Ferrari.
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He said: “It’s a phrase that seems legendary to me from Carlos, who showed his character, which I wish he would show on other occasions more often, and which was not well received at Ferrari. In fact, the phrase bothered them quite a bit.”
The Ferrari pit wall has long been criticised for their in-race decision-making, making it a sensitive issue for the team, but Sainz consistently held them to account during his three years in the seat.
He won again at the 2023 Singapore GP and added further victories in Australia and Mexico before his departure.
Carlos Sainz’s stance on returning to Ferrari one day
Sainz lost his seat to Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season, with Ferrari electing not to renew his contract. His relationship with the team was strong but they could not turn down the opportunity to sign a seven-time world champion.
He made a determined effort to protect that relationship in his final year, having been informed over the winter that he would be let go.
Indeed, Sainz is open to rejoining Ferrari in the ‘distant future’ depending on the outcome of his Williams gamble. Hamilton has only scored one podium since taking the seat.
Sainz is still Ferrari’s most recent race winner, with the team’s drought now standing at 31 races.
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