Carlos Sainz has been handed a three-place grid penalty after impeding Lewis Hamilton at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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.
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FIA hand Sainz a grid penalty
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.
I think the penalty is rather harsh but needed as it was dangerous 😳. The team should have also warned Sianz ⚠️.
Good. Sainz deserved that. I'd have given him a 5 place drop. Sainz either showing his bitterness that Lewis took his seat, or he just plain forgot that Lewis moved out of his way 3 corners before and couldn't possibly be now on a hotlap. Luckily it made no difference. Judging by the going on this weekend so far, the stewards are not missing a thing, especially in the pit-lane.
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