Fermati! Sainz chases down Italian robbers who stole his R12m Richard Mille watch

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz had quite an eventful Italian Grand Prix weekend - from finishing third after starting on pole in the main race, to catching robbers who tried to steal his £500 000 (an estimated R12m) Richard Mille watch.

The Sun reports that Sainz was targeted by thieves near the Armani Hotel in Milan around 20:30, but that the driver and members of the public chased them down and retrieved the precious item.

Police were on the scene moments later to arrest the two suspects.

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Sainz is not the first F1 driver to be the victim of such crimes. In 2020, McLaren's Lando Norris had his £40 000 Richard Mille ripped off his arm at Wembley Stadium as he got into his company car, a McLaren GT.

At the 2022 Imola Grand Prix, also in Italy, Sainz's teammate, Charles Leclerc, was on the receiving end of a robbery. Posing for pictures for fans just days before the race, a thief subtly removed the £266 000 special edition Richard Mille watch from his wrist.

At the time of Leclerc's ordeal, Norris had some choice words over the incident: "The people who do such things are not fans, are they?

"You've got to be a little bit careful every now and then, and more when you have the fame of Charles or you're in F1.

"I don't know if I'm at the phase of needing a bodyguard, because I don't think I do - it's a tough one."

NEW: Here’s an amateur video of Carlos Sainz with the police after the watch theft#ItalianGP #F1

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Home race

Sainz and Leclerc headed to Monza, Italy, to represent the Ferrari team at its home race. Finishing inside the top four with both cars - a first this year - was a strong result for the team after what