Carlos Sainz Slams 'Disproportionate' FIA Penalty for US GP Incident

Carlos Sainz is fuming over a “disproportionate” five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix, stemming from a collision with Kimi Antonelli at the Circuit of the Americas. The Williams driver argues the severity of the punishment, issued by FIA stewards, doesn't match the incident itself, highlighting a perceived weakness in F1's current rule enforcement.

Why it matters:

Carlos Sainz's public criticism of the FIA's penalty system adds to a growing chorus of driver dissatisfaction with stewarding decisions. Such discontent can undermine confidence in fair competition and raises questions about consistency in applying rules, especially as F1 pushes for closer, more aggressive racing.

The Details:

• The Incident: During the United States Grand Prix, Sainz made contact with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli while battling for seventh position on lap seven, heading into the Turn 15/16 complex. Sainz attempted an overtake on the inside, but there wasn't sufficient room.
• Impact: While Antonelli continued, the incident severely compromised his race, dropping him to a P13 finish. Sainz, however, was forced to retire from the 56-lap race.
• The Penalty: FIA stewards deemed Sainz responsible, handing him a five-place grid penalty for the next race in Mexico City, a circuit where he won last year with Ferrari. He also received two penalty points on his FIA super license.
• Sainz's Reaction: Speaking at the Mexico City Grand Prix media day, Sainz called the penalty “completely disproportionate to what the incident itself was.” He acknowledged his share of responsibility but found the five-place drop, particularly after reviewing data and onboard footage, “difficult to understand, difficult to accept.”
• Prior Issues: This isn't Sainz's first run-in with the stewards. He was also dissatisfied with a penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix for a clash with Liam Lawson, which Williams successfully appealed through a right of review.

Between the lines:

Sainz's repeated frustrations suggest a deeper issue than just isolated incidents. His comments about “weaknesses in the rules” and the application of “guidelines” over strict rules hint at a desire for more clarity and perhaps more nuanced judgment from the stewards. Drivers want to race hard, and current interpretations might be stifling aggressive, but fair, competition. The fact that he believes it's not a matter for the drivers' briefing but rather a broader discussion at a future event like Qatar indicates a systemic rather than a momentary grievance.

What's next:

Sainz believes that these issues with driving guidelines and rule application should be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming Qatar meeting, where general rule conversations are slated. Resolving these discrepancies in penalty enforcement is crucial for maintaining driver confidence and ensuring a level playing field, particularly as the sport heads into a pivotal 2026 regulatory shift.