FIA Spares Carlos Sainz from Additional Fine for Swearing Incident

In an unexpected turn of events, the FIA has decided not to impose a fine on Carlos Sainz for his expletive-laden outburst during a press conference in Bahrain. The Spanish driver had earlier been fined €10,000 for being late to the national anthem at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Sainz’s Initial Fine for Late Anthem

Sainz was penalized with a €20,000 fine, half of which is payable immediately and the other half suspended, due to his five-second delay before the national anthem in Japan. The driver had been suffering from an upset stomach, a fact verified by the FIA doctor. However, the FIA still chose to levy the fine.

Expressing his views on punctuality and respect for national anthems, Sainz said, “I was the first one to admit my mistake and apologize. But to pay €10,000 for being five seconds late is unjustifiable.” He further added, “I hope someone tells me where this 10k goes and I can ensure it’s used for a good cause.

Previous Swearing Incidents and Apology Saves Sainz

Given Max Verstappen’s community service and Charles Leclerc’s €10,000 fine for swearing during press conferences last year, many expected Sainz to face another financial penalty. However, according to RacingNews365, the FIA media delegate decided not to report the incident to the stewards due to a conversation they had with Sainz following his blunder, which included an apology.

Amidst this off-track drama, Sainz is focusing on adapting to his new Williams machinery. He spoke about the challenges in his transition from Ferrari to Williams, stating, “It takes time for a driver to fully understand a new car and its nuances.” He further added, “I haven’t yet put together a full weekend at Williams. The speed has been there in Australia and Suzuka; in China I had an off weekend for various reasons, but I was quick in Australia and Suzuka, especially considering I’m still new to the car.

Sainz aims to minimize mistakes and continue improving his speed as he adjusts to his new car. He concluded, “We just need to put a full weekend together and the results will follow.