Carlos Sainz’s weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix was a series of unfortunate events culminating in a hefty fine.
- Sainz was summoned three times by the FIA stewards during the weekend, adding to his woes.
- His penalties began with a three-place grid drop for impeding Lewis Hamilton during qualifying.
- Sainz’s challenges continued with a fine for speeding in the pit lane by 13.7 km/h.
- A delayed arrival at the national anthem ceremony resulted in his largest fine yet, partially reduced due to mitigating circumstances.
Carlos Sainz’s participation in the Japanese Grand Prix was marred by a series of decisions from the FIA stewards. After facing a three-place grid penalty for hindering Lewis Hamilton during qualifying, the Spaniard’s troubles only deepened. In addition to this setback, he was caught exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane by 13.7 km/h. This infraction led to a €1000 fine for his team, Williams.
Despite these challenges, the most significant penalty came when Sainz failed to make it to the national anthem ceremony on time. The FIA had already fined drivers in the past for such breaches, demonstrating the importance placed on the ceremony’s punctuality. While the standard penalty for this was set at €60000, Sainz’s explanation of experiencing stomach discomfort was taken into account, and the penalty was reduced to €30000. Of this amount, €10000 is suspended, contingent on no further infractions of Article 19.4 b) within the next year.
Sainz’s weekend was further compounded by his finishing position. Starting from 15th on the grid, he managed only to improve by one spot to finish 14th. Meanwhile, his teammate, Alex Albon, secured two more points during the race, bringing his total to 18 for the season, while Sainz remains stuck at just one point. This disparity underscores the challenging season that Sainz has faced in contrast to his teammate.
The stewards’ decision, supported by the testimony of Dr. Messina from Med-Ex, acknowledged Sainz’s medical condition but maintained the need for all drivers to respect the host nation’s anthem. Such adherence reflects the broader expectations of professionalism and respect within the sport. As Sainz grapples with these penalties, it marks another challenging chapter in his pursuit of success with Williams.
Carlos Sainz’s experience at the Japanese Grand Prix highlights the difficulties of his current journey in Formula One, marked by regulatory infractions and unfulfilled potential.
