F1: Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz thanks police for arresting watch thieves

Ferrari’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr looks on as he celebrates on the podium after the Italian Formula One Grand Prix race at Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit, in Monza on September 3, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

Carlos Sainz thanked Italian police on Monday for arresting thieves who stole a luxury watch from him following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday.

According to several media reports, the Ferrari driver was the victim of a theft in Milan just hours after finishing third in the race.

Two men stole his watch, worth at least an estimated 300,000 euros ($323,835).

But Sainz chased them with his bodyguard and caught the thieves with the help of passers-by before handing them over to police.

“Many thanks to all the people who helped us yesterday, to the Milan police for their quick intervention and thanks for all your messages,” the Spaniard wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Sainz, who started on pole, finished behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, who set a record by winning his 10th consecutive race.