In the Dutch Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz was penalized with 10 seconds after an incident with Liam Lawson, which unleashed his fury. The Spanish driver called the decision “a complete joke”.
The collision occurred when Sainz was attempting to overtake Lawson on the outside at Turn 1. The stewards determined that Sainz was responsible, based on FIA guidelines, which state that the car overtaking on the outside must have its front axle alongside the inside car to be entitled to space on the exit of the corner.
Sainz did not comply with this rule, which resulted in contact that caused punctures in both single-seaters.
Sainz, who finished the race in thirteenth position, was not satisfied with the decision and announced that he would seek an explanation from the stewards. He considers the penalty unacceptable and expressed his concern as a driver and director of the GPDA. The stewards, for their part, justified the penalty based on the regulations. They pointed out that the front axle of Sainz’s car was not level with Lawson’s at the apex of the curve, so they considered Sainz as the main responsible for the incident.The incident is quite clear, isn’t it? How many examples have we seen in Turn 1 of Zandvoort of two cars racing side by side without contact? With Liam, it always seems to be very difficult for that to happen.
Carlos Sainz
