Carlos Sainz has dispelled rumours he is in doubt for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix after he reportedly injured himself during a charity football match.
The Ferrari driver was one of several of F1 stars involved in the match this week at Monaco’s Stade Louis II along with teammate Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
But an image of Sainz sitting on the bench getting strapping applied to his right leg with a concerned look on his face sent a scare through F1 fans.
Sainz went off the field in the second half and was seen receiving treatment on his leg.
After last year’s charity game, he was also seen putting ice on his ankle but didn’t miss the following race.
But it appears the F1 world can breathe easy after the Spaniard said he simply sustained a minor knock in the game, describing it as “a contact”.
“Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know I am well and completely ready to race this weekend in Monaco,” Sainz wrote on Instagram.
“What happened yesterday was simply a contact during the traditional charity football match, but it was not an injury.
“I enjoyed playing football as I always do and now I am really looking forward to the weekend.”
He added: “#StopInventing.”
Leclerc didn’t fare much better, taking a tumble and face-planting just two minutes into the game.
The Monegasque driver took the mickey out of himself, sharing a photo of the face-plant to his Instagram story with the caption: “I’ve got a natural talent at football that very few have.”
Ferrari are currently fourth in the constructors’ standings behind Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes and will be hoping for an improved performance at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Leclerc and Sainz haven’t won a race since midway through last season, and Leclerc will be desperate for a strong result at his home race after a string of disappointments at Monaco.
No Monagesque driver has ever won at their home race.
Sainz is yet to score a podium this season and Ferrari will be aiming to close the gap to Mercedes and Aston Martin.
The Monaco Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday at 11pm AEST.
It’s the first race since Miami earlier this month after extreme flooding caused last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to be cancelled.
