close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Sainz explains 'Smooth Operator' running joke

Photo: © LAT Images

Sainz explains 'Smooth Operator' running joke

'Smoooooooth Operatooooorrr...'

Carlos Sainz has revealed the meaning behind his 'Smooth Operator' running joke through the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Sainz toasted many of his best performances of the season with a rendition of Sade's 1984 single.

While the song describes a jet-set man that has a reputation of a heartbreaker, Sainz says the description does not exactly match him.

"[It was] just a song that kept coming up on the radio of the car [at] the British Grand Prix," Sainz said.

"I just started hearing it on the radio and apparently it is quite a bit of a famous song.

"After the race [in Hungary], I sang this song, without knowing what a smooth operator was. Then people in the team started telling me what a smooth operator was.

"And then I realised, well, maybe I can attribute that to myself 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 string of smooth performances led him to a career-high sixth place in the drivers' championship, with a last-gasp overtake on Nico Hulkenberg at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix helping him secure the point that snatched 'best of the rest' status away from Pierre Gasly.

And, yes, he did list the manoeuvre as a smoooooooooth operation.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Mercedes questioned over Lewis Hamilton decision that left George Russell in a 'tough spot'

Mercedes questioned over Lewis Hamilton decision that left George Russell in a 'tough spot'

  • 41 minutes ago
FIA piles on the agony for Red Bull but Toto Wolff explains why they got it right

FIA piles on the agony for Red Bull but Toto Wolff explains why they got it right

  • 1 hour ago
'They won't be going for dinner together' - Ferrari driver relationship update revealed

'They won't be going for dinner together' - Ferrari driver relationship update revealed

  • 2 hours ago
F1 fans can watch next race for FREE as new partnership announced

F1 fans can watch next race for FREE as new partnership announced

  • 3 hours ago
Honda chief opens up on Aston Martin partnership and why 2026 has been a major struggle

Honda chief opens up on Aston Martin partnership and why 2026 has been a major struggle

  • Today 09:55
F1 star George Russell opens up on horrifying 'life or death' accident

F1 star George Russell opens up on horrifying 'life or death' accident

  • Today 09:12

Just in

13:56
Mercedes questioned over Lewis Hamilton decision that left George Russell in a 'tough spot'
12:57
FIA piles on the agony for Red Bull but Toto Wolff explains why they got it right
11:55
'They won't be going for dinner together' - Ferrari driver relationship update revealed
10:57
F1 fans can watch next race for FREE as new partnership announced
09:55
Honda chief opens up on Aston Martin partnership and why 2026 has been a major struggle
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Honda chief opens up on Aston Martin partnership and why 2026 has been a major struggle Aston Martin

Honda chief opens up on Aston Martin partnership and why 2026 has been a major struggle

Today 09:55
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton suffers title blow as George Russell reveals injury incident F1 News Today

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton suffers title blow as George Russell reveals injury incident

Today 06:59
Williams F1 boss claims Albon and Sainz would tell him if they were going to leave Williams

Williams F1 boss claims Albon and Sainz would tell him if they were going to leave

Yesterday 22:57
How George Russell injured himself during Mercedes F1 celebration George Russell

How George Russell injured himself during Mercedes F1 celebration

Yesterday 19:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x