The FIA has fined Carlos Sainz for crossing the track on foot after his crash: here’s what happened in Singapore.
Carlos Sainz’s crash yesterday proved costly, not only in terms of performance. The Spaniard made a crucial mistake in Q3 during the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying: on his first attempt, car number 55 lost control in the final corner and hit the wall, right next to the pit lane.
After exiting the car, the Spaniard crossed the track on foot to return to the pits: an action prohibited by the regulations, for which several drivers had been penalized in the past, most notably Lewis Hamilton in Qatar.
FIA Statement on Carlos Sainz
Here’s how the Federation explained the incident: “Sainz stated that he left the track because it was out of control and he was worried about regaining control of it, and since it was qualifying, he knew his lap time would be deleted. Considering that the lap was deleted, which constitutes a penalty, no advantage was gained, and no other driver was impeded, the Stewards issue a warning.”
Then came the penalty: “The driver is fined 25,000 euros, of which 12,500 euros are suspended for the remainder of the 2024 season on the condition that no further similar infractions occur.”
Ferrari also received a 5,000-euro fine for not complying with the FIA’s tire pressure procedures: a day of financial penalties, then, for the Prancing Horse team.
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP