Carlos Sainz took issue with the FIA’s decision at the Spanish Grand Prix, sparking debate over racing rules.
- On lap 19, a battle for sixth place saw Lewis Hamilton and Sainz clash, leaving Sainz feeling he was unfairly squeezed off the track.
- The FIA chose not to investigate Hamilton’s move, leading Sainz to express frustration over rule consistency.
- Sainz recalled the rule that the car ahead at the corner should have right of way, a rule he felt was ignored.
- Despite new upgrades, Sainz struggled with his car’s performance, ending in the same position he qualified: sixth.
Carlos Sainz’s experience at the Spanish Grand Prix was not just a race; it was an eye-opener about how race rules are interpreted. Despite Ferrari bringing in fast-tracked performance upgrades, Sainz’s outing was marred by issues both mechanical and regulatory. He entered the race qualified in sixth position, a spot he held onto despite the drama that ensued.
Sainz found himself entangled with Lewis Hamilton in a battle for position on the 19th lap. As Hamilton charged forward, his Mercedes seemed to squeeze Sainz’s Ferrari at Turn 1. This maneuver left Sainz feeling slighted, as he believed he had the right of way being half a car length ahead at the corner. According to Sainz, “Normally, the rule this year says that if you’re ahead around the outside, they need to give you space.”
After the incident, Sainz promptly communicated with his race engineer to have the incident reviewed, only to be left puzzled by the FIA’s decision to not formalize an investigation. Expressing his discontent, Sainz remarked, “I don’t understand why there’s a rulebook, and we don’t follow it.” This sentiment tapped into a broader conversation about the application and consistency of rules during such high-stakes races.
Beyond the skirmish with Hamilton, Sainz’s race was further complicated by a brush with teammate Charles Leclerc. As Sainz tried to overtake Leclerc at the beginning of the third lap, an incident between the two resulted in Sainz having to veer onto the escape road. Despite these challenges, Sainz concluded the race in the sixth position, exactly where he started.
Reflecting on both the race and the car’s performance, Sainz voiced his dissatisfaction with the ongoing porpoising problems affecting the car through Barcelona’s high-speed corners. Even with new updates, these issues prevented him from capitalizing on the full potential of his vehicle.
Carlos Sainz’s Spanish GP encounter leaves questions about rule enforcement hanging in the air.
