Sainz Challenges Bearman's Monza Penalty

Carlos Sainz believes Oliver Bearman's penalty for their collision at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza was unjustified, stating that Bearman should "never have been penalised." Sainz, speaking via DAZN Espana, expressed a common frustration among drivers regarding subjective steward decisions and even suggested he could have shared the blame for the incident.

Why it matters:

Carlos Sainz's candid remarks highlight ongoing tensions between drivers and race stewards regarding on-track incident penalties. His defense of Oliver Bearman, despite being involved in the collision, underscores a desire for more consistent and empathetic decision-making from officials, particularly concerning rookie drivers.

The Details:

• During the Italian Grand Prix, Sainz and Bearman made contact at Turn 4 on Lap 41.
• Oliver Bearman was subsequently issued a 10-second penalty and received two penalty points on his license.
• Sainz, who drives for Williams Racing, publicly stated, "Bearman should never have been penalised," and added, "I could have shared the blame with him."
• Sainz acknowledged that drivers often view stewards' decisions subjectively, feeling "attacked" or that their "life is complicated."
• This incident echoes Sainz's own recent experience at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he initially received a five-second penalty and two penalty points for an incident with Liam Lawson. His penalty points were later rescinded after a review, demonstrating the dynamic nature of such decisions.

Between the lines:

Sainz's comments reveal a deeper desire within the F1 paddock for greater consistency and perhaps a more nuanced understanding of race situations from stewards. His suggestion that he could have shared the blame is a rare moment of self-reflection from a driver involved in such an incident, adding weight to his critique.

What's next:

Sainz also touched upon the possibility of becoming a race steward post-retirement, quickly dismissing it as a "very difficult job." He emphasized the importance of having committed individuals in these roles who genuinely enjoy the work and possess a deep understanding of driver psychology. He advocates for a consistent 'drivers' commissioner' for all races, akin to a permanent race director, to ensure a more uniform and empathetic approach to judging on-track incidents. This suggests a push for structural changes in how penalties are assessed, aiming for more objective and driver-centric evaluations in the future.