Sainz explains 'Darren' radio message confusion
Carlos Sainz has explained the background to the strange radio message captured in practice for the Spanish Grand Prix where his race engineer Tom Stallard called him Darren.

A radio conversation between Stallard and Sainz was overheard in Friday practice, where there looked like there had been a name mix-up.
Stallard began the conversation with: "Darren, it's Tom... sorry Carlos!"
Then in response, Sainz cheekily said: "Hello Tom, I'm Darren."
The exchange prompted some confusion among fans about what had happened, with various theories about it being the result of confusion with names or Darren being Sainz's new nickname.
But asked by Motorsport.com to explain the background, Sainz said the incident was prompted by Stallard opening the pit-to-car radio rather than a direct line to a race strategist back at the McLaren factory.
"Darren is my strategist back at the factory," explained Sainz. "I was starting a long run and Tom wanted to get the first feedback of tyres and how we were looking from Darren, or our 'famous' Darren.
"He opened the radio saying 'Hi Darren, it is Tom'. So I did a joke, 'Hi Tom, it is Darren' but he immediately said sorry.
"I realised he had got it wrong, but I wanted to actually have a conversation with him. It didn't happen though."

Previous article
Schumacher film to be released in December
Next article
Barcelona "in the process" of renewing Spanish GP contract

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Event | Spanish GP |
Drivers | Carlos Sainz Jr. |
Teams | McLaren |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Sainz explains 'Darren' radio message confusion
Trending
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Onboard Lap - Imola
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping .
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is no guarantee.
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?