Nico Rosberg Calls for Carlos Sainz Penalty After 'Complete Mess-Up' at Monza

Nico Rosberg strongly believes Carlos Sainz should have been penalized for his collision with Oliver Bearman at the Italian Grand Prix, criticizing the stewards' decision.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing debates about stewarding consistency in F1 and raises questions about Carlos Sainz's recent performance compared to his Williams teammate Alex Albon, who continues to impress.

The Incident

During the Italian GP at Monza, Williams driver Carlos Sainz and Haas driver Oliver Bearman collided at the second chicane. Bearman, attempting an inside pass, made contact with Sainz, leading to both cars spinning. Despite both drivers continuing, Bearman received a 10-second time penalty, while Sainz faced no punishment.

Rosberg's Stance

Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg was baffled by the stewards' ruling. "Carlos Sainz needs to get a penalty!" Rosberg declared. "Oliver Bearman has a half a car's length in there... Why doesn't Carlos Sainz just leave a bit of space? Give me a reason. He's in there, so leave some space, and then nothing happens and it's all good." Williams development driver Jamie Chadwick echoed this sentiment, stating Bearman should not have been penalized and suggesting Sainz could have given more room.

Sainz's Defense

Sainz, however, disagreed with the criticism. He stated, "I think I left a car’s width on the inside. And I think that’s why the stewards gave him a penalty. I braked extremely late on the outside... I think it’s just a typical Monza incident. One of the two needs to back out. I was in front at the apex. He decided not to back out of the move. Typical Monza."

The Big Picture: Sainz vs. Albon

Sainz's Monza incident adds to a challenging season, marking his fifth consecutive point-less Grand Prix. He currently sits 18th in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points. In stark contrast, teammate Alex Albon finished seventh at Monza, securing his fourth points finish in five races. This impressive run has elevated Albon to P7 in the Drivers' Championship with 70 points, surpassing Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. Rosberg did not mince words when comparing the two: "Alex again, just such an awesome weekend... Sainz, again, messes up completely, crashes, and no points. So yeah, it's just impressive [from Albon]."

What's Next

The debate surrounding stewarding decisions and driver accountability will likely continue as the season progresses. Sainz will be under pressure to improve his form, while Albon's consistent results further solidify his position as a key performer for Williams.