Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos has become the third Formula 1 driver to have his watch stolen by thieves, after his Rolex was taken in Amsterdam back in March.
The 41-year-old, who raced for Minardi and Red Bull, was hit on the head by the offenders, who also stole his mobile phone.
The incident comes after McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were targeted in similar robberies.
Norris had his Richard Mille timepiece, valued at around $180,000, stolen after he was put in a headlock while returning to his car following the Euro 2020 final.
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Leclerc lost his $320,000 Richard Mille watch last year despite CCTV footage showing he tried to pursue the thieves in his Ferrari through the streets of the Italian resort Viareggio.
“It was violent,” Doornbos said after the incident, which took place near his home in the Dutch city.
The thieves reportedly used a tracking device to follow Doornbos, attacking him shortly after he arrived home on 18th March.
“I no longer wear expensive watches. Just an Apple watch, so that I can, at least count my steps,” he added.
“The victim got out of his car at around 00.15am after parking when almost immediately an unknown man approached him with an accelerated pace,” the police said in a statement.
“He had a bat in his hand. The victim was hit in the head with the bat.
“While the victim defended himself and called for help, he was robbed of a precious watch and his phone.”
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So far, police haven’t arrested any suspects over the crime but they believe it was committed by two men aged between 25 and 30.
An individual was detained by police in the UK over the incident involving Norris but he was later cleared by a jury.
In Italy, police have arrested the individuals believed to be behind the theft of Leclerc’s watch, although it wasn’t clear if they managed to recover the timepiece.