Sainz wants clarity from FIA soon: 'Hope for right decision'

Carlos Sainz believes that everyone in Formula 1 will benefit if there is quick clarity on Red Bull Racing's exceeding its budget ceiling. The Spaniard made this known at the press conference ahead of the US Grand Prix.

"I think every team and every driver, we just want clarity, first of all, and second, fairness. And we all know how much 1, 2, 3, 4 – I don't know what's the number – million can make to car development and car speed in Formula 1. That's why years ago everyone was spending 350 million, or the top three teams were spending 350 million, and now we're spending 150 to keep these things under control," Sainz said.

The Ferrari driver says he hopes that if a penalty proves necessary, it will be relatively severe. "I just hope that if there's a penalty the penalty is relatively important to take the appetite away from overspending 2 or 3 million to waste on next year's car because you think next year's car is worth it more than the other year, and then you take a penalty for ignoring it." According to Sainz, it can never be the case that you take a penalty for non-compliance for granted, because you know you will reap the benefits in the end.

Sainz calls on FIA

He hopes that lessons will be learned from the whole issue at hand and that a level playing field with appropriate penalties will be ensured the moment a team fails to comply with the agreed agreements. "I just think it needs to be fair play for everyone. And if there's a cost cap, it's there to be followed and I just hope that the FIA takes the right decisions to make sure that everyone follows it."