Carlos Sainz opened up about an unforeseen road trip he took with fellow Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc after the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The trip arose unexpectedly when storms around Nice interfered with their scheduled flight home, forcing the group to land in Italy instead of France. This detour led to an unplanned drive back to Monaco, creating lasting memories for Sainz amid a frustrating end to their weekend.
Flight Diversion Leads to Italy and a Rental Van Drive
Sainz had celebrated his first podium finish with Williams and expected to return home smoothly the same evening. However, severe weather conditions near Nice Côte d’Azur Airport caused flight diversions for Sainz, Leclerc, and Leclerc’s friends, Joris Trouche and Antoine Truchet. Instead of a quick taxi ride from the airport, the group found themselves renting a van, embarking on a lengthy drive across Italy to get back to Monaco.
The Spanish driver recounted the situation at an event for Hackett London, describing the chaotic moments upon landing.
“Bit hectic landing in an airport so late, having to rent a van, having to jump in a van with all the bags and having to drive back home for a couple of hours,”
Sainz said. Despite the irritation, he reflected on the experience’s value.
“But in the end, I was reflecting on it, we were very frustrated because we really wanted to land in Nice and [have a] 20-minute drive, but then you think about it and you say these are the kind of days that you remember.”
He added,
“If we would have landed in Nice and we would have just taken the normal 20-minute home taxi or whatever, we would never remember that day or that moment. But it’s those little adventures that you will remember when you are older.”
Leclerc Shares the Road Trip Experience
Charles Leclerc took to social media to share a video shortly after their plane was diverted, capturing the mood of the group on the road.
“So, after a difficult weekend in Baku, I thought it couldn’t get any worse, but…”
Leclerc commented, showing the dark road ahead. Sainz added with a hint of humor,
“We are driving a van! In the middle of Italy.”
He explained their predicament further:
“We were diverted for a storm, we couldn’t land in Nice, so we landed in the middle of Italy. We rented a van, and now we are on our way to Monaco.”
Leclerc joked about the drive time, saying,
“A two-hour drive, and we will make it in one hour and a half.”
Close Call at Nice Airport Adds to the Chaos
Additional reports surfaced on social media describing a near collision incident at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on the same day. An easyJet flight was ready for takeoff while a Nouvelair flight mistakenly attempted to land on the wrong runway, narrowly missing the departing plane. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but the incident underscored the disruption affecting air travel in the region, further explaining the diversion that impacted Sainz and Leclerc’s return journey.
Memorable Adventure Amid Unfavorable Circumstances
Though the road trip was born from frustration and inconvenience, Carlos Sainz’s reflections reveal how unexpected moments like these create enduring memories beyond routine experiences. The forced diversion and long drive with close friends turned a challenging situation into a shared adventure, one that stands out distinctly in their Formula 1 careers. As travel disruptions continue to affect sports professionals, such stories highlight the unpredictable nature of life on the road.
