Sainz hit with Japanese GP grid drop for impeding Hamilton in qualifying

Williams driver Carlos Sainz has received a three-place grid penalty for Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix for impeding Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in qualifying.

Arriving at high speed into Turn 1 for his final flying lap in Q2, Hamilton encountered Sainz in the middle of the road, having to abort his lap and take avoiding action into the runoff area.

Sainz said he had no warning that Hamilton, the driver who replaced him at Ferrari this season, was approaching fast and was caught by surprise.

The FIA’s race stewards sympathised with the Spaniard but, as it is the responsibility of the team to warn its drivers of traffic, it has handed him the standard three-place grid penalty.

That penalty drops Sainz from 12th to 15th on the grid, having narrowly missed the cut to make it into Q3.

“Car 55 [Sainz] was on an in-lap after having completed a push lap when Car 44 [Hamilton] was starting its push lap, and Car 44 had to move off track to avoid Car 55 in Turn 1,” the stewards wrote in their verdict.

“The driver of Car 55 stated that he did not have any warning from the team, of the approach of Car 44 on a push lap.

“He stated that he was caught completely by surprise and, because of the approach speed of Car 44, and the angle of his car, he could not see Car 44 in his mirrors.

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

“However, notwithstanding the above, the team had ample warning that Car 44 was on an out-lap whilst Car 55 was on its push lap.

“Also, more than 8 seconds elapsed from when it was obvious Car 44 was not going into the pits, and hence was going to start a push lap, and when Car 55 could have taken appropriate action if the driver had been warned by the team.

“It is noted that the standard penalty guideline for this offence during qualifying, irrespective of whether it was the fault of the driver or the team, is a three grid position penalty, and therefore the stewards find that the standard penalty should be applied.”

Sainz’s team-mate Alex Albon did advance to Q3 to claim ninth for Williams as it fights Racing Bulls at the front of the midfield.