Domenicali urges Sainz to 'stay calm' amid setbacks

Formula 1 CEO and former Scuderia boss Stefano Domenicali says Carlos Sainz needs to stay calm and exert patience following the Spaniard's recent setbacks.

After a strong start to his second campaign with Ferrari, with successive podiums achieved in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia, Sainz spun out of the Australian GP on the race's opening lap at Albert Park.

But the Scuderia charger then crashed in Q2 at Imola, before suffering another first lap exit on race day, although through no fault of his own, having been punted off by McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo.

However, Sainz's frustration level is quickly rising amid the unlucky blows and setbacks. But Domenicali insists the Scuderia charger needs to keep cool.

"These are episodes to be managed psychologically," Domenicali told Italy's Rai 2. "He just has to stay calm and he will surely achieve excellent results.

"Carlos Sainz is a very talented driver, unfortunately Ricciardo touched him on a slippery track. But these are episodes that, if you don’t handle them well, you get into psychological difficulties that you don’t have to face.

"He has renewed his contract with his team for another two years, so the guarantees are there, he just has to stay calm and he will surely do well."

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At the front of the field, Sainz's teammate Charles Leclerc sits atop the Drivers' standings.

But Max Verstappen's win last weekend at Imola has allowed the Red Bull driver to close in on his rival in the championship, and all signs currently point to a massive battle for the title building between the two protagonists.

Domenicali believes Verstappen has gained in maturity as a driver since winning his first world crown last year in Abu Dhabi.

"He is a champion, he showed it in his stubbornness until the last corner last year and he has shown it in the past as well," commented the Italian.

"He is maturing as a driver, he knows how to handle the car and he knows when to attack. He’s a champion, as is Leclerc and many others.

"The beauty of Formula 1 in recent years is certainly the presence of talented drivers."

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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.