Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz faced a penalty of €25,000, with half of it suspended, for crossing a live Formula 1 track following a crash during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix. The incident occurred when Sainz slammed into the barriers at the final corner of the Marina Bay track, causing the session to be red-flagged with just over eight minutes remaining.
Despite emerging unscathed from the accident, Sainz made the mistake of walking across the track to reach the pitlane entrance. Following an investigation by FIA stewards, the Spaniard was fined €25,000, with €12,500 suspended for the remainder of the season under the condition that there are no similar incidents in the future.
In his own admission, Sainz took responsibility for the mishap, attributing it to a miscalculation of the grip on the track. He explained, “I had a bit of a strange exit in there. Had to let a lot of cars through opening my lap and my tyres were just a lot colder than I thought they would be. I misjudged the grip going on the bump on 17, and it completely snapped on me. Driver mistake.”
This incident is reminiscent of a similar occurrence at the Qatar Grand Prix last year involving Lewis Hamilton, who was fined €50,000 for crossing a live track during a safety car period. The incident took place after Hamilton collided with George Russell at Turn 1, causing damage to his car and leading to his retirement from the race.
While the FIA stewards reprimanded Hamilton for his actions, they also emphasized the dangerous nature of crossing a live track and the need for drivers to exercise caution in such situations. The governing body reopened its investigation post-race, highlighting the seriousness of the offense and the potential risks involved.
Comparing Sainz’s penalty to Hamilton’s, the stewards noted that the former’s offense occurred during a red flag period, while the latter’s transgression took place under a safety car. Sainz also argued that he was already beyond the pit entry, which was considered a mitigating factor in determining the fine.
Subheadings:
1. Sainz’s Qualifying Crash at Singapore Grand Prix
2. Hamilton’s Similar Incident at Qatar Grand Prix
3. FIA’s Stance on Live Track Crossings
The incidents involving both Sainz and Hamilton underscore the importance of safety protocols in Formula 1 and the consequences of disregarding them. As drivers continue to push the limits on the track, it is imperative that they remain vigilant and mindful of their surroundings to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.