F1 star hit with £17k fine after breaching unusual rule…read more
CarlosSainz picked up a £17,000 (€20,000) fine – half of which was suspended – from the FIA after he was deemed to be late for the national anthem at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Spaniard was called to the stewards after the chequered flag on Sunday. The 30-year-old became the first driver to be punished over a national anthem ceremony slip-up since Yuki Tsunoda at the Canadian Grand Prix last year.
Explaining the decision to fine Sainz, the stewards noted: “During the Drivers’ Briefing on Friday, all drivers were reminded of the requirement to be in position by the time prescribed in the regulations and the need to show respect for the host country’s Anthem. It is noted that the Penalty Guidelines prescribed in Appendix B of the FIA International Sporting Code, list a penalty for this offence, of €60,000.
“However in mitigation, the Driver stated that just prior to the Anthem, he experienced discomfort due a stomach issue which delayed his appearance on the grid. This was verified by Dr Messina of Med-Ex who confirmed the issue and stated he had provided appropriate medication for the Driver.”
Sainz had already breached the FIA regulations twice at the Japanese GP. The four-time Grand Prix winner picked up an £850 (€1,000) fine for breaching the pit lane speed limit by 13.7km/h in FP3.
Then, in qualifying, Sainz impeded Lewis Hamilton at Turn One. The Madrid-born racer was on the inside of the corner but wandered to the centre of the racetrack, forcing Hamilton to abort his flying lap.
After visiting the stewards, Sainz was slapped with a three-place grid penalty, dropping him behind Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda into a P15 grid slot for the Grand Prix on Sunday.
“The driver of Car 55 stated that he did not have any warning from the team, of the approach of Car 44 on a push lap,” the stewards explained. “He stated that he was caught completely by surprise and because of the approach speed of Car 44, and the angle of his car, he could not see Car 44 in his mirrors.
“However, notwithstanding the above, the team had ample warning that Car 44 was on an out lap whilst Car 55 was on its push lap. Also, more than 8 seconds elapsed from when it was obvious Car 44 was not going into the pits, and hence was going to start a push lap, and when Car 55 could have taken appropriate action if the driver had been warned by the team.”
