In a shocking turn of events at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Williams driver Carlos Sainz found himself at the center of a penalty controversy that has now been rescinded by the FIA, causing a stir in the world of Formula 1.
Initially handed a 10-second time penalty and two points on his superlicence for a collision with Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Sainz faced further punishment with a three-place grid drop for the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. However, due to a system failure and subsequent confusion, the penalty was eventually overturned by the FIA.
Following his retirement from the race on Lap 45 of 57, Sainz admitted his fault in the collision, attributing it to being on cold tires after a Safety Car restart and his car already being damaged from a prior incident with Yuki Tsunoda. Despite the penalty saga, Sainz remains with just one point this season, with 10th place in China as his best result for Williams since joining from Ferrari.
The Spanish driver also expressed frustration at Tsunoda’s actions on the track, claiming the incident cost him valuable points and hindered his race performance significantly. Sainz’s plea for a penalty on Tsunoda went unheard, leaving him to reflect on what could have been a more successful outing at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
As the FIA retracts the penalty on Sainz, the Formula 1 community is left buzzing with speculation and debate over the series of events that transpired during the race weekend. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds in the world of motorsport.