Pierre Gasly expressed his frustration toward Carlos Sainz during the first practice session of the Italian Grand Prix after feeling blocked on a critical push lap. The conflict unfolded on Friday at Monza when Gasly, driving for Alpine, was held up by Sainz, who was navigating a cooldown lap, leading to an intense radio exchange.
The incident occurred just before turn 7, as Gasly sought to maximize his speed exiting the second Lesmo corner but found a slow-moving Williams car obstructing his path. Gasly’s flying lap was compromised, prompting him to sharply criticize Sainz over team communications.
Details of the Radio Exchange Reveal Gasly’s Anger Over Being Held Up
Feeling his lap time was unfairly ruined, Gasly voiced his irritation explicitly on the radio, stating:
“Yeah, that’s not fair from [Carlos] Sainz. Always the same f**king guy.”
This strong outburst highlighted the tensions on track during the high-speed session, as every fraction of a second counts in qualifying and practice laps alike.
Race Engineer Communicated Gasly’s Position to Sainz Multiple Times
Despite Gasly’s complaints, the situation was complicated by the fact that Sainz’s race engineer, Gaetan Jego, repeatedly informed him about Gasly rapidly approaching behind. The engineer’s updates included:
“Gasly, 4 [seconds behind], Gasly, 3 [seconds behind].”
These warnings indicated that Sainz was aware of Gasly’s presence and the potential need to yield. However, he did not immediately make way on track.
When Nico Hulkenberg arrived behind the pair, Sainz did move aside to allow Hulkenberg to pass, confirming his recognition of other drivers approaching faster laps. Notably, Sainz did not comment on the clash via radio and continued his session as planned.
Sainz Reflects on First Monza Weekend With Williams Since 2020
The 2025 Italian Grand Prix marks Carlos Sainz’s return to Monza driving not for Ferrari but for Williams, a change he embraced with optimism. Speaking about the venue, often called the temple of speed, Sainz shared:
“Heading to Monza this week, I have a lot of fond memories here from my previous years in F1, so I’m looking forward to making some new ones with Williams and getting behind the FW47 around this incredibly fast track. I’m very confident we’ll be bouncing back from last weekend and I’m really looking forward to having a solid week at this amazing venue!”
This statement reflects Sainz’s eagerness to adapt to his new team and the iconic circuit’s demands.
Further Tensions Highlighted by Gasly’s Subsequent Encounter With Williams
The friction continued later in FP1 when Gasly encountered another Williams driver, Alex Albon, moving slowly after the parabolic corner. This second incident intensified Gasly’s dissatisfaction with traffic management during practice, leaving a negative impression of the session‘s progression.
Implications of the On-Track Conflicts for the Italian GP Weekend
The clashes during FP1 underline the fine margins and high stakes at Monza, where clean laps are crucial for qualifying success. Gasly’s frustrations reveal how quickly tensions can rise when a driver’s performance is compromised. Meanwhile, Sainz’s awareness of surrounding cars and strategic decisions on the cooldown lap show the complexity of race engineering during practice.
As the Italian GP weekend advances, both drivers will need to manage similar challenges carefully to optimize their performances at this historic and fast venue. Their interactions also highlight the importance of clear communication and situational awareness on track to prevent further clashes during crucial sessions.
