While Williams celebrated their best result of the season so far, their two drivers were in very different moods.
Alexander Albon was positively jubilant about spending the entire race within sight of the podium. But Carlos Sainz Jnr was plainly unhappy that his team mate had passed him when he thought they had been told to hold position.
After requesting help from his team mate, Sainz’s race engineer Gaetan Jego told him: “Alex has been instructed.” When Albon sailed past him at turn 11 moments later Sainz fumed: “You told me he’s been told.”
Jego could only repeat “I know” and tell his driver: “I know Let’s be the bigger one, okay?”
Sainz was still unhappy about the situation after the chequered flag and made his feelings clear to team principal James Vowles. But was Albon within his right to reclaim a position from his team mate after being passed earlier on? Here’s how the critical moments unfolded.
Albon and Sainz’s radio messages from their position swaps
“I touched with Alex”
“Remember what we discussed”
“Check front-right tyre quickly”
“What’s the plan here because we’re just losing time?”
“You told me he’s been told”
“You made me lose three-tenths extra”
“I’ve lost a lot of confidence here”
“I touched with Alex”
The race nearly came to a disappointingly early end for both drivers. Sainz had to take evasive action at turn three when Lando Norris rejoined the track ahead of him, and made contact with his team mate as Albon came around the outside.
Fortunately for the team, both drivers avoided serious damage, but both were immediately anxious over the state of their cars.
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| Lap: 1/57 ALB: 1’38.782, SAI: 1’39.731 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Just check for damage, rear-right. | Sainz | I touched with Alex. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Tyres are okay, aero is okay. Looks okay from our side. | Sainz | Check front left. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | We’re checking, you’re good on front-left. Checking front wing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Need an update on the front wing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Happy. All good. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Pressures still okay. Front wing okay on our side. There’s a yellow flag, turn one, potentially debris. Potential debris, one, into turn one, turn four. Norris ahead 0.4, Leclerc behind 0.6. We’re still on the same race. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 2/57 ALB: 1’53.640, SAI: 1’55.407 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Have a look over the pit wall, I’ll come close to you. | Sainz | I feel very low, low rear grip. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Yeah, copy that. Still VSC. Albon does not drive close to the pit wall as he passes | Jego | VSC, VSC. Go AC, go AC. Stay out, stay out. Doohan stopped right hand side turn 14. Work the front and repeat your feedback, please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Yeah I felt very low rear grip. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 3/57 ALB: 2’03.540, SAI: 2’01.936 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Doohan car is going behind the barrier now, I’ll let you know. Expect rain around lap 12, VSC ending, VSC ending. Go race, restart around braking zone turn 17. It’s okay for the restart. Restart, restart, DRS enabled. Norris 0.6, Leclerc 1.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Remember what we discussed”
Having dropped behind Albon at the start, Sainz’s race engineer reminded him about a pre-race agreement relating to whichever of their cars was running behind the other. Exactly what that referred to was only implied by this radio message, but shortly afterwards, Sainz passed Albon:
| Lap: 4/57 ALB: 1’33.079, SAI: 1’32.521 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Alex first car ahead 0.8. Remember that’s our race. Second car, remember what we discussed this morning. Leclerc 1.2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 5/57 ALB: 1’33.836, SAI: 1’32.332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Are we sure we don’t have damage? | Jego | On that rain it will hit turn 17 first. Sainz passes Albon approaching turn 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Looks okay on our side. We took photos from the pit wall. Sainz passes Albon approaching turn 11 | Jego | No overtake available. Gap at 0.9, Norris ahead 0.9. with DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Suggest green three-10. Feedback on what you feel, try and help. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | I feel oversteer, understeer. Honestly, not really that clear to me. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 6/57 ALB: 1’33.206, SAI: 1’33.317 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Closing lap five. 52 to go… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Interrupting Less radio Gaetan. Leave it to me, please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“Check front-right tyre quickly”
A day earlier, Sainz had taken himself out of the sprint race by hitting the barrier at the inside of turn 14. He flirted with danger again in the grand prix, clipping the wall at turn 12, but this time he got away with it:
| Lap: 7/57 ALB: 1’32.982, SAI: 1’33.029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Sainz appears to glance the barrier on the inside at the exit of turn 12 Check front-right tyre quickly. Front-right, check. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Front right currently okay, pressure’s okay. Remember Russell ahead on hard. Still happy with the front wing. Front-right pressure’s still okay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 8/57 ALB: 1’33.117, SAI: 1’33.230 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Closing lap seven, 50 to go. Pressures are okay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 11/57 ALB: 1’33.569, SAI: 1’33.652 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Closing on Sainz Early overtake available. Does not have DRS. | Jego | Sainz closes on Russell at turn 17 Don’t have any other overtake available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Russell moving under braking. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Okay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“What’s the plan here because we’re just losing time?”
While Albon started the race on a new set of medium tyres, Sainz was running a used set, as Williams fitted his last fresh set during the sprint race in an apparent error. Sainz dropped back from George Russell after lap 10 and Albon drew within range.
That prompted messages from both drivers. Albon asked his team what they planned to do next, clearly wondering whether a position swap was on the cards, while Sainz implied they should hold position.
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| Lap: 12/57 ALB: 1’33.515, SAI: 1’33.379 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | We’re going to get low in the pack. | Sainz | Starts defending from Albon Let’s go forward, guys. We’re compromised in the race here. Let’s get into our rhythm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Looks at Sainz at turn 11, who defends Can we just wait because… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Yeah, let’s get the pack back… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | We’re losing battery here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Yeah, copy, pack’s low. Leclerc 0.8 behind. Try and get the anti where we can. Radio’s on. Yeah, copy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 13/57 ALB: 1’33.031, SAI: 1’33.044 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | What’s the plan here because we’re just losing time? | Jego | Agreed, and being discussed. Closing lap 12, 45 to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Yeah I’m working on it, and on the weather as well. | Jego | Alex 0.7. Russell last lap 32.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Feedback on tyres and flap. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Yeah, my front-right is obviously down on grip. But the rest of the tyres are fine, it’s just the front-right. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Feedback on flap when you can. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | I could do with a bit of help from Alex. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“You told me he’s been told”
To Sainz’s obvious frustration, Albon passed him soon afterwards. Moments earlier, the team warned Albon he was concerned about his water pressure, but moving into clearer air ahead of his team mate seemed to alleviate the issue.
Sainz’s race engineer tried to placate his obviously unimpressed driver.
| Lap: 14/57 ALB: 1’32.701, SAI: 1’33.614 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Alright, Alex, we’re managing a water pressure issue with you. You need to maintain a gap of at least a second for the car ahead, short term. | Jego | You are mode six level. Alex has been instructed. Gap 0.5. Russell last lap, 32.8. Rain is slowing down, may miss us. Albon passes Sainz at turn 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | I’m about to overtake him, so… | Sainz | You told me he’s been told. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Okay, come on then. Albon passes Sainz at turn 11 | Jego | Okay. Let’s have head down. Use DRS, Leclerc one. Be clever. 44 to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 15/57 ALB: 1’32.968, SAI: 1’33.538 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Clever. Stay within DRS, please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Yeah but come on. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | I know, I know. I know, I know. Let’s be the bigger one, okay? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Leclerc one-zero without DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Mode seven and use anti as you are within DRS to recharge. Mode seven and use anti. Leclerc 1.1, no DRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“You made me lose three-tenths extra”
Sainz’s frustration grew after he cut the turn 14-15 chicane in front of Charles Leclerc. While he felt he backed off sufficiently to avoid a penalty, Jego pressed him to give up more time:
| Lap: 16/57 SAI: 1’32.915 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Sainz cuts the chicane at turn 14-15 Leclerc 1.8, I think he made a mistake, his last lap 33.4. Russell still in 32.8. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 17/57 SAI: 1’32.857 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | ‘Track limit, first strike, then 15, one-five, turn 15 track limit first strike. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Leclerc 1.8, closing lap 17, 40 to go. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 18/57 SAI: 1’33.257 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Okay Carlos, can you please lose three tenths to your gap to Leclerc following that cutting the chicane. Leclerc gap 1.8, let’s bring that back to 1.5 please. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Yeah, I backed off at the exit of 16 when I cut 15. The stewards should look at it. But I’m doing a big [lift and coast]. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | We’d like to do more. Lose another three tenths in that section, please. Three tenths. Leclerc currently, 1.9. You have the pace to stay ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | Okay now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Gap 1.6, gap 1.6, thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | You made me lose three-tenths extra. I already backed off in 16. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 19/57 SAI: 1’32.546 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Leclerc, 1.8, you’re quicker than him, it was 33.0. Alex, 32.6. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sainz impressively got ahead of Leclerc after the Ferrari driver appeared ahead of him following a Virtual Safety Car period. But he lost the place – and another to – Lewis Hamilton – after a further VSC period.
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| Lap: 29/57 SAI: 2’05.347 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | As close to the delta as possible, Leclerc pit under VSC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sainz | He will come out ahead, no? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Safety car ending, restart, exit of turn 17, go ‘race’ now, get ready for restart, all the pace you can. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Go ‘race’, go ‘race’, green green green green, go ‘race’. Leclerc emerges from the pits ahead of him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 30/57 SAI: 1’31.546 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | More energy. Sainz passes Leclerc on the inside of turn one | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lap: 31/57 SAI: 1’32.773 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jego | Leclerc 0.6, turn on the pack. It’s only to turn 11. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“I’ve lost a lot of confidence here”
Williams team principal James Vowles congratulated Albon on his second fifth-place finish of the year. However he also indicated to Sainz he understood his concerns about how the team handled the race.
| Chequered flag | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Alright there buddy, P5, lovely job. | Sainz | He moved a bit under braking there, I don’t know if that is legal. He completely moved left when I went left. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Go on! Yes! | Jego | P9 for you Alex P5. Was good to see us fighting Ferrari and Antonelli. I know we were expecting to, hoping to, finish better but that was a strong race. A lot of things to learn. Some things to discuss. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Urwin | Makes up for yesterday. Mega P5 today. | Sainz | That’s not how I go racing, guys. I don’t care. I’ve lost a lot of confidence here on everything. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Yeah sorry about yesterday guys. What a way to come back. Well done. | Vowles | Yeah Carlos noted. We’ll discuss this in the room but I agree with you we need proper engagement on it. For the time being well done for picking up points. You had damage to the car we’ll take you through but well done for recovering as much as possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vowles | Alex, really, really impressive drive. This is just making amends. We’ve got a fast car, we’re moving forward. We win and lose together. Really proud of you today. You were the fastest car on track, I think, for the last few laps, so brilliant, brilliant stint. Well done. | Sainz | Thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albon | Yep, well done everyone. I don’t know the last time I’ve seen the podium from a full race stick before, so thank you, we’re progressing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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