Williams Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz was greeted by a group of marshals singing “Smooth Operator” as he entered the pitlane at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Spanish racer, known for his association with the 1984 Sade track, arrived ahead of the race ready to start alongside four-time World Champion Max Verstappen on the front row, following a turbulent qualifying session punctuated by six red flags.
Marshals Welcome Sainz With Signature Song
As Sainz arrived at the Baku City Circuit, the crowd of marshals warmly welcomed him by singing “Smooth Operator,” a tune that has become synonymous with the driver since 2019. This connection began during his time with McLaren when he spontaneously sang the song over team radio to his race engineer, Tom Stallard, sparking popular attention across social media platforms.
Origins of the ‘Smooth Operator’ Nickname
Sainz explained how the nickname emerged.
“Just a song that kept coming up on the radio of the car [during] the British Grand Prix [weekend],”
he said.
“I just started hearing it on the radio. And apparently it is quite a bit [of a] famous song,”
he added, reflecting on the unexpected fame of the track in his career.
The nickname stuck, and Sainz embraced it publicly, even customizing his Ferrari Daytona SP3 by inscribing “Smooth Operator” on various parts including the intakes, center console, and door sill. Sharing more about his early interaction with the song, he said,
“After the race [at the Hungaroring] I sang this song, without knowing what a smooth operator was. Then people in the team started telling me what a smooth operator was,”
showing a lighthearted acceptance of the moniker.
He further remarked,
“And then I realised, well, maybe I can attribute myself that and start creating a bit of a joke around me. But I didn’t sing it because I considered myself a smooth operator, because I didn’t know what a smooth operator was.”
Sainz’s Move to Williams and Form at Baku
In 2025, Carlos Sainz joined Williams after being replaced by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. Despite facing a challenging start to the season, Sainz achieved his best qualifying performance of the year with a second-place grid position in Baku, marking a promising turnaround for the driver and his new team.
On his qualifying performance, the 31-year-old driver expressed satisfaction:
“Honestly, we’ve nailed the qualifying today. Every time being on the right tyre at the right time and putting together some very strong laps. Obviously, the moment that a top car was going to put that up together, we were always going to be those four or five tenths behind like we are always. But it was only one of them, which was Max, not surprised. And for the rest, we managed to beat them. And yeah, we were in P2, which is great news.”
Context of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Weekend
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has been an eventful milestone in the 2025 Formula 1 calendar. The qualifying sessions at the Baku City Circuit saw multiple interruptions from six red flags, testing teams’ strategy and drivers’ nerves alike. Sainz’s ability to qualify on the front row despite these challenges demonstrated his growing pace and adaptability with Williams.
Sharing the front row with Max Verstappen, a dominant figure in the championship this season, positions Sainz competitively as the race weekend unfolds, holding promise for potential strong points finish and further progress in the championship standings.
Significance of the ‘Smooth Operator’ Persona
The merging of Carlos Sainz’s public image with the iconic song “Smooth Operator” adds a unique personal brand element in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. It humanizes the driver, connecting fans and marshals alike with a shared cultural reference that lightens the intensity of race weekends.
This motif has become a symbolic bridge, with the marshals’ serenade at Baku reinforcing Sainz’s popularity and the growing support around him at Williams. Looking ahead, the connection may continue to boost his public profile as he competes for top results in what promises to be an intense and unpredictable season.
