Antonio Lobato has said that Carlos Sainz’s ‘stop inventing’ radio message to Ferrari ahead of his first Formula 1 victory didn’t go over well within the team.
Sainz had lost the lead early to Max Verstappen but got it back when the Red Bull driver hit some debris. Later, during a safety car period, Charles Leclerc chose not to pit and temporarily moved into first place.
But Sainz, on fresher tyres, overtook him and finished just under four seconds ahead while Leclerc missed out on the podium.
Just before the race restarted, Ferrari told Sainz to stay 10 metres behind Leclerc to help protect him from Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton.
Sainz pushed back: “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.”
Lobato spoke about the moment during a recent DAZN broadcast, saying it didn’t sit well within the team.
He explained: “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 often been called out for their in-race strategy decisions — something Sainz never shied away from during his time there.
Sainz picked up three more wins before leaving the team: Singapore 2023 and then Australia and Mexico later on.
Sainz lost his seat at Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season, with the team opting not to renew his contract. While he maintained a strong relationship with the team, the opportunity to sign a seven-time world champion was something they couldn’t pass up.
Even after being informed over the winter break that he would be leaving, Sainz made a conscious effort to keep that relationship intact throughout his final year.
He hasn’t ruled out a return to Ferrari in the future, depending on how his move to Williams plays out. Since then, Hamilton has managed just one podium since taking over the seat.
Sainz remains Ferrari’s last race winner, and their current drought now stretches back 31 races.
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