Williams Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has slated his €10,000 fine for failing to arrive on time for the national anthem at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
The Spaniard got to his spot at the front of the grid late ahead of the race at Suzuka, triggering a trip to the race stewards and then a fine.
It is part of a wide-ranging clampdown on driver discipline by the FIA, with criticism already directed towards F1's governing body over its stance on swearing in the media - which has already been met with heavy fines, and community service for Max Verstappen.
Sainz: "I'm sorry for that"
While Sainz conceded he was late, he was unimpressed with the severity of his punishment and told media including GPBlog at the Bahrain Grand Prix: "I think I’m the biggest supporter of punctuality and being, in a way, a gentleman, being punctual to things, and especially a national anthem, with all the authorities there.
"So I was the first one to put my hand up and say, “I'm late. I'm sorry for that.” At the same time, I was five seconds late and to be five seconds late and have to pay €10,000 or whatever the fine is, for me, it is out of the question that we are having to pay these fines.
"But yeah, I don’t know if I’m going to get another fine for saying this, but s**t happens. It’s the way it is. It’s the way it goes sometimes.
"I mean, €10K is—you guys know what €10K is. And for five seconds, it’s disappointing. I hope, as I’ve always said, I hope someone tells me where this €10K goes. And they say, “OK, at least it went to a nice cause,” and I will be looking forward to seeing where they go."
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