Carlos Sainz has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix. This decision follows an incident involving Kimi Antonelli during the recent United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Details of the Incident
The collision occurred on Lap 7, as Sainz attempted to overtake Antonelli at Turn 15. During this maneuver, contact was made, causing Antonelli to spin off the track. Although he managed to rejoin the race, Sainz’s day ended early, making him the only retiree of the event.
Post-Race Investigation
Race stewards reviewed the incident after the Grand Prix. They interviewed both drivers and their team representatives to gather insights. Ultimately, the stewards determined that Sainz was primarily at fault for the collision.
Steward’s Findings
A statement from the stewards detailed their assessment, noting:
- Sainz attempted an inside overtaking maneuver while Antonelli was in front.
- It was concluded that Sainz did not position his car sufficiently alongside Antonelli’s prior to the collision.
- The result of the review led to a five-place grid penalty, which is equivalent to a 10-second time penalty.
Upcoming Race and Driver Reactions
Sainz will serve his penalty during the Mexico City Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of October 24-26. He described the incident as “a shame” and expressed that it appeared worse externally than it felt internally.
Antonelli also commented on the situation, stating, “I don’t think he was going to make the corner anyway… It’s a shame, but we move forward.”
This penalty comes at a critical time as teams and drivers prepare for the challenging Circuit de la Ciudad de México.
