Carlos Sainz Details 'Scary' Realization Before Costly Kimi Antonelli Crash

Carlos Sainz has opened up about the "scared" moment leading up to his collision with Kimi Antonelli during the United States Grand Prix, an incident that resulted in significant penalties for the Williams driver. This came shortly after Sainz had delivered Williams' best-ever Sprint race finish, securing third place the day before.

Why it matters:

Carlos Sainz's incident with Kimi Antonelli highlights the razor-thin margins and high-stakes decision-making F1 drivers face, particularly when battling for points. A moment of misjudgment, even a "small lock-up," can have severe consequences, impacting not only the race outcome but also future grid positions and championship standings.

The Details:

• On Lap 6, Sainz attempted an overtake on Antonelli at the Turn 16 left-hander, a recognized overtaking spot.
• Sainz, feeling he had significant pace, had successfully executed a similar move on Ollie Bearman at Turn 15 just prior.
• He misjudged Antonelli's closing line, locking up and colliding with the Mercedes junior driver, sending Antonelli into the gravel.
• Sainz retired from the race due to the damage sustained.
• The stewards deemed Sainz at fault, imposing a five-place grid penalty for the subsequent Mexico City GP and two penalty points.
• Antonelli, despite taking the fastest lap, finished outside the points in 12th.
• Sainz described the incident as looking "worse than it actually is" from the outside, attributing it to a "small lock-up with big consequences."
• He acknowledged the fine line between playing it safe for a guaranteed P8 and risking more for a potential P7.

Between the lines:

Sainz's reflection underscores the constant pressure on F1 drivers to balance aggression with caution. His comment, "One day you look like a hero, the next day, people will criticise you and bring you down," encapsulates the volatile nature of public and team perception in elite motorsport. Both drivers' awareness was crucial on the wide apexes, and in this instance, neither executed perfectly.

What's next:

Sainz will carry a five-place grid penalty into the Mexico City Grand Prix, an immediate consequence of the incident. This will undoubtedly complicate his race weekend there, forcing him to fight through the field and potentially compromising Williams' ability to score vital championship points. The incident also adds to the scrutiny on both drivers as they navigate their careers, with Antonelli being a rising star in the Mercedes camp.