FIA Delivers Late Stewards’ Decision After Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying
The Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session ended with some drama as the FIA stewards issued a late ruling involving Williams driver Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, securing the third-fastest time, beating McLaren championship contender Oscar Piastri. But shortly after the session concluded, he found himself under investigation for a potential rule breach.
Sainz was summoned over an alleged violation of Article 33.3 of the sporting regulations, which deals with unsafe rejoining of the track. The incident occurred at Turn 5, where Sainz re-entered the racing line ahead of Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, prompting the stewards to review whether the move created a dangerous situation.
Many expected that the investigation would lead to an automatic grid penalty—something that has become common in recent seasons when stewards determine that a driver impeded or endangered another. However, after careful evaluation, the stewards ruled that no further action was necessary. This decision means Sainz retains his P3 starting position, and the grid for Saturday’s race remains unchanged.
The FIA released an official statement explaining the decision-making process. According to the stewards, Stroll’s own representative made it clear that the Aston Martin driver did not feel endangered by Sainz’s re-entry. Stroll’s team emphasized that the maneuver had no negative impact on his lap or safety, which heavily influenced the final verdict.
Additionally, the stewards took into account the wet track conditions that significantly reduced visibility during qualifying. The presence of yellow flags, the slippery surface, and the limited sightlines meant drivers were already exercising extra caution. These factors made the incident less clear-cut in terms of attributing fault or determining wrongdoing. With all evidence reviewed, the FIA concluded that penalizing Sainz would be unnecessary and inappropriate given the circumstances.
Sainz’s Impressive 2025 Season Continues
For Carlos Sainz, the decision is a major relief and preserves what has been one of the standout Saturdays of his 2025 campaign. After needing time to fully adapt to life at Williams, Sainz has transformed his season with an exceptional run of form in the second half of the year.
The highlight of his season so far came in Baku, where he earned his first podium with Williams—a breakthrough moment that signaled his upward trajectory with the team. With a third-place start in Las Vegas, Sainz will undoubtedly be looking to repeat that success under the bright lights of the Strip. Securing another podium would be a monumental achievement not only for him but for Williams as well.
Williams has not enjoyed a multi-podium season in nearly a decade. The last time the team achieved this feat was back in 2015, when Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa produced a combined eight podiums. A second podium for Sainz this year would mark a symbolic return to competitiveness for one of Formula 1’s most historic teams.
A Tight Battle Looms Behind
Despite his strong qualifying position, Sainz will not have an easy run to the podium. George Russell and Mercedes start close behind and have shown consistent pace throughout the weekend. Russell, hungry to reinforce Mercedes’ recovery efforts, is expected to apply pressure from the opening lap.
At the same time, Oscar Piastri remains a looming threat. With the championship picture still open, the McLaren driver will be desperate to secure a major result to keep his title hopes alive. Any opportunity to overtake Sainz could play a crucial role in how the standings shift heading into the final rounds of the season.
As the lights prepare to go out for Saturday’s race, Sainz’s clean escape from penalty sets the stage for an intense and potentially thrilling fight at the front of the grid.
