Sainz: Penalty removed from Dutch GP after Williams review

Carlos Sainz: Penalty Annulled at the Dutch Grand Prix

In a momentous decision, the stewards of the Dutch Grand Prix have revoked the penalty imposed on Carlos Sainz, Formula 1 driver, following the successful review requested by his team, Williams. The incident, which occurred in Zandvoort two weeks ago, involved a collision with Liam Lawson’s single-seater. Williams presented new camera shots that, according to the stewards, proved that the crash was a “racing incident” and not Sainz’s fault. This determination marks a milestone, as it is uncommon for a team to succeed in overturning a decision after a review in Formula 1. Although it was not possible to annul the 10-second penalty applied to Sainz during the race, the two penalty points on his super license were eliminated. Williams requested the review during the Italian Grand Prix, less than a week after the incident in the Netherlands.

On Friday, a hearing was held where Williams presented evidence considered new, relevant, and significant. The team provided images from a 360-degree camera in Sainz’s car, additional images from a rear camera of Lawson’s car, and Sainz’s testimony. The stewards accepted the new camera shots, which were not available at the time of the original decision, as new and relevant evidence. However, they maintained that the pilot’s testimony was not an element worthy of review, as decisions are often made during races before hearing from the pilots. Williams argued that the new footage showed that Lawson’s car lost traction and slid just before the collision, preventing Sainz from avoiding contact.

The stewards agreed with Williams’ characterization of the crash as a racing incident.

Stewards’ Statement

In their decision, the stewards explained that the new evidence of Lawson’s slide was enough to convince them that it was a racing incident. “The stewards are satisfied that the collision was caused by a momentary loss of control of car number 30. However, in the stewards’ assessment, no driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for that collision,” they explained. The stewards pointed out that it was not possible to annul the time penalty, but confirmed that the points on Sainz’s license would be removed, which means he now has two in the last 12 months. The time penalty imposed during the race had already been served. The stewards have no power to modify the final classification, but they observed that the difference between Sainz’s car and the one ahead in the final classification was 17 seconds. On Saturday, Williams issued a statement celebrating the stewards’ decision. “We are grateful to the stewards for reviewing Carlos’ penalty at Zandvoort and we are pleased that they have now decided that he was not guilty and that it was a racing incident,” said a team spokesperson. “While it is frustrating that our race was compromised by the original decision, mistakes are part of motorsport and we will continue to work constructively with the FIA to improve arbitration processes and review the racing rules for the future.”