Sainz communication mix-up almost led to disaster

A moment of radio confusion between Carlos Sainz and Toro Rosso almost led to the demise of two drivers in yesterday's second free practice session.

Sainz was out preparing for a quick lap when his team mistakenly told him that the car directly behind - Kevin Magnussen's Haas - was sufficiently far behind for him to move slowly as he approached the final chicane.

In reality, Magnussen was closer than estimated and racing towards the Toro Rosso at a closing speed of 200km/h!

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The Dane near hit Sainz and was forced to take avoiding action, just barely dodging what could have been a massive crash for both drivers.

"I went to apologise to him," said Sainz who invoked wrong information and the lack of visibility of the Toro Rosso's small mirrors.

"I was about to start a timed lap and I thought he was on a cool down lap but he was on a push lap, so it was just a misunderstanding. I didn’t see him at all.

"My engineer came on and said that Kevin was entering the pits now, and it was actually that he had missed the corner.

"But my team thought he was on an in-lap rather than a push lap, which is why they didn’t tell me about him. And with this year’s mirrors I didn’t really see him."

The stewards ruled the situation as "potentially dangerous and handed a reprimand to Sainz, who later apologized to Magnussen for the misunderstanding.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.