Formula 1: after his 3rd place at Monza, Carlos Sainz has his watch stolen, estimated at 500,000 euros

2023-09-05 09:06:42

Carlos Sainz went through all the emotions on Sunday. From joy to fear, and from anger to deliverance. A few hours after celebrating his third place in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza under a shower of champagne at the wheel of his Ferrari – behind the invincible Dutchman Max Verstappen and the Mexican Sergio Pérez – the Spanish driver was the victim of a snatched in downtown Milan.

According to several Italian media, Sainz was walking in the streets of downtown Milan when, around 8:30 p.m., two or three men approached him, jostled him before stealing his watch. A watch by Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille whose value is estimated at around 500,000 euros.

Still according to the transalpine media, the Scuderia Ferrari driver quickly noticed the theft and chased the thieves himself. Fast on the Formula 1 circuits, Sainz is also fast on foot since he, with the help of passers-by, caught up with pickpockets.

More fear than harm

Moments later, the police handcuffed the thugs on Montenapoleone Street, famous for its jewelry and luxury ready-to-wear shops. They were taken to the station as officers drove Sainz (who filed a complaint) and his watch back to their hotel. More fear than harm in the end for the Spaniard.

The pilot told on his account X (ex-Twitter) to have “experienced an unfortunate incident yesterday in Milan” which, he says “will only remain an unpleasant anecdote”. “Thank you very much to everyone who helped us yesterday, to the Milan police for their quick intervention,” he added.

The same misadventure had happened to his teammate at Ferrari, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, while he was traveling in Tuscany in April 2022.

According to the media, he had had the luxury watch he wore on his wrist snatched by an alleged admirer who said he wanted to take a selfie with him. The thieves, who fled on a scooter, were arrested in April but the watch, also a Richard Mille, was never found.

But this misadventure is reminiscent of that of another Ferrari driver. Last April Charles Leclerc was also the victim of a snatching in Viareggio, a famous seaside resort in Tuscany, Italy. As the driver and his relatives strolled through the city, they were recognized by fans who asked if they could take pictures with the Monegasque. Taking advantage of the crowd, individuals had taken the opportunity to snatch his watch… also from the Richard Mille brand.