Carlos Sainz is the Smooth Operator of Formula 1. The outgoing Ferrari driver is a 4-time race winner and has now cemented his place as one of the coolest F1 drivers ever by hosting his Smooth Operator Dance Party on the eve of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Smooth Operator
Carlos Sainz took his first Formula 1 victory at the British Grand Prix in 2022. His second, at the 2023 Singapore GP, was undoubtedly his smoothest on-track operation yet, masterminding a brilliant strategy of giving the second placed Lando Norris DRS to prevent a hard-charging George Russell from catching the leading pair.
But Sainz’s Smooth Operator name originated long before that. It was at the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix when he was driving for Mclaren that Sainz first sang those immortal words on the team radio to his race engineer.
He said he’d heard the song playing a lot on British radio during the Silverstone GP weekend and it stuck in his head, but he didn’t really know what a smooth operator was.
Little did Carlos know just how much of a sensation he’d created. From then on the name stuck to him like glue, and everywhere he goes people know him as the Smooth Operator.
The song that birthed his name was originally released in 1984 by the band Sade. The official music video has now amassed over 175 million views on YouTube.
Judging by some of the top comments I suspect a big chunk of those views are from F1 fans. It seems to now be a Formula 1 tradition to revisit this YouTube video and leave or like a comment every time Carlos wins a race.
Las Vegas parties
As the Formula 1 circus headed to Las Vegas it was once again a chance for teams and drivers to pair up with some of the biggest resorts, casinos and hotels along the Sin City Strip.
In 2023 for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix some of the teams released some eye-wateringly expensive VIP packages. Once of those was the Mclaren X Mark Wahlberg party on Drai’s rooftop with an amazing view of the race for which tickets cost over $89,000.
The 2024 event has been much the same with some big names from F1 teaming up with big brands and resorts in Sin City. Lewis Hamilton has put his name to the entire West Harmon seating zone. Red Bull have their exclusive energy station at Turn 3 on the Vegas strip circuit.
Drivers have also had meet-and-greets popping up at glamorous venues all over the city. Although Franco Colapinto had one at the local Home Depot DIY store, but still drew a massive frenzied crowd.
But Carlos Sainz has gone one better. He’s organised the Smooth Operator Dance Party and it is the coolest thing ever.
Smooth Operator Dance Party
The Alibi Lounge of the ARIA Resort & Casino has been transformed in to Carlos’ Smooth Operator Dance Party.
Pictures of the man himself adorn the walls. The Smooth Operator logo is plastered all over the place designed in an ’80s neon Vegas vibe. The drinks are flowing and the live DJ is setting the smooth mood.
Standing-room entry to the lounge is free but tables have to be reserved in advance. But the real reason you wanted to be there is to see Sainz himself, who appeared on the stroke of midnight.
Well, he didn’t just appear. He was escorted into his own dance party by an entourage of bodyguards past a lineup of hundreds of fans waiting to get in. As he entered he was accompanied by a chequered-suit wearing saxophonist playing, you guessed it, that sexy song by Sade.
Carlos Sainz arrives at his “Smooth Operator Dance Lounge” at the ARIA Resort & Casino. #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/jC7mVbiuhk
— Stephen Sanchez (@SSanchezTV) November 21, 2024
When he walked in to the lounge he was greeted by cheers, whistles and definitely some screams from his number 1 fans, all clamouring to get a glimpse of the Ferrari driver.
Sainz was sporting his very own custom Smooth Operator apparel that had been made specifically for this event. A few lucky fans also managed to pick up some of the very limited-edition clothing at the party whilst also meeting Carlos.
Carlos is undoubtedly one of the coolest drives on the Formula 1 grid. His smooth Spanish ways have brought him a huge number of followers, fans and admirers.
But his Dance Party at the ARIA in Vegas may have pushed him right to the top of the F1 driver coolness standings. Retro neon aesthetics, custom clothing, a live DJ and personal saxophonist in one of the most high-end venues in Vegas, all accessible for free to his fanbase. It doesn’t get much smoother.
Now let’s hope for a smooth race.
Wild scene here at Aria as @Carlossainz55 arrives at a lounge rebranded as “Carlos Sainz’s Smooth Operator Dance Lounge.” Sax player and all. 🎷 At least 200 people in line to get in. #lasvegasgp pic.twitter.com/JlkgUR2YvQ
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 21, 2024
