During qualifying for the Grand Prix at the
Suzuka circuit, Sainz looked to have impeded Hamilton going into turn 1, with the Spaniard driving very slowly on the racing line while the Ferrari of Hamilton was on a flying lap.
The FIA summoned Sainz and Hamilton to review the situation and make a judgment, and they came up with the grid penalty for the Williams driver.
A penalty for Sainz looked to be extremely likely, and that has been the case, with the stewards at Suzuka dropping him down three places as a result, meaning he will start the Grand Prix from P15 after qualifying in 12th.