P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz was eighth in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but almost disobeyed a Williams team order.
Carlos Sainz revealed that he nearly defied a team order from Williams during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Starting from sixth on the grid, Sainz opted for an early pit stop on Lap 11, committing to a two-stop strategy by switching to hard tires. This decision pushed him back into midfield traffic alongside other drivers like George Russell and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris benefited from free pit stops under safety car conditions. Although Sainz ultimately finished in eighth place, his teammate Alex Albon secured fifth and even eyed a podium finish. Reflecting on the race, Sainz admitted that he was tempted to ignore the early pit call but ultimately followed team orders to pit. He stressed the need for improved communication and execution on Sundays to maximize his performance and score crucial points for the team.
