Carlos Sainz, the Spanish Formula 1 driver, faced a nightmare weekend in Japan, filled with setbacks and hefty fines. The FIA stewards did not hold back in penalizing Sainz for being late to the Japanese national anthem, slapping him with a 20,000 euro fine. This incident occurred due to Sainz feeling unwell and needing to rush to the bathroom, as confirmed by the FIA.
The ordeal for Sainz continued with a series of misfortunes, including a 1000 euro fine for speeding in the pit-lane and a grid penalty for impeding Lewis Hamilton during qualifying. It was a forgettable outing at Suzuka for the former Ferrari driver, with troubles following him at every turn.
The FIA released a statement regarding the incident, emphasizing the importance of respecting the national anthem and the consequences of failing to adhere to the regulations. Despite Sainz’s medical condition causing the delay, the FIA stood firm on enforcing the penalty as a reminder of the protocol that all drivers must follow.
Sainz’s weekend in Japan serves as a cautionary tale of the strict disciplinary measures in Formula 1, where even unforeseen circumstances may not excuse a breach of regulations. The Spanish driver will need to regroup and ensure no further mishaps occur to avoid accumulating more fines and penalties in the future.