FIA confirms double Azerbaijan Grand Prix punishment after investigation
FIA stewards said Sainz did not sufficiently slow for yellow flags, and the standard qualifying penalty drops him five grid places.
- Williams driver Carlos Sainz will start Saturday's 51-lap Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 14th after receiving a five-place grid penalty for failing to slow for yellow flags during qualifying.
- Stewards rejected Sainz's "global lift" defense after telemetry showed no meaningful speed reduction in Marshalling Sector 4 despite radio warnings to "Yellow ahead, lift." The driver recorded his fastest sector time in that zone.
- Sainz received two penalty points on Friday for a similar infringement during final practice, bringing his total to four within the 12-month period. This marks his second reprimand of the season.
- Separately, Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad received a reprimand for leaving the track at Turn 15 during final practice, gaining an advantage by overtaking two cars. He will start Saturday's grand prix from 15th.
- Williams' hopes of scoring rare points in Baku face a significant setback following these penalties. F1 regulations mandate a 10-place grid penalty if drivers accumulate five reprimands over a season.
27 Articles
27 Articles
The FIA destroys Carlos Sainz on his happiest day of the season. Williams’ Madrid driver first arrived at the Q3, but the International Automobile Federation bitterly places him on a five-place penalty for allegedly ignoring a yellow flag. Sainz goes from being ninth to being ninth ... Continue reading "The bitter FIA Sainz's happiest day in 2026 with an unjust sanction: will leave 14th in Baku"
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