Home F1 Sainz still disappointed and in disagreement but has to move on

Carlos Sainz, F1 — MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W14 and the rest of the field at the second restart during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on April 02, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Peter van Egmond/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202304031244 // Usage for editorial use only //

Sainz still disappointed and in disagreement but has to move on

18/04/2023

Carlos Sainz is still disappointed and disagrees with the FIA not accepting Ferrari’s points in the push to overturn the F1 Australian GP penalty.

After the FIA dismissed Ferrari’s plea to entertain the Sainz penalty from F1 Australian GP, the Spaniard remains defiant on his ground. He is disappointed with the outcome even after two weeks and feels penalty to be disproportionate.

Sainz reckons the evidence and reasoning Ferrari presented was good enough for the FIA to at least review, but it isn’t the case to be. Even though he is moving on, but he believes the topic of inconsistency on remains a key debate for all involved.

“Very disappointed that the FIA did not grant us a right to review,” wrote Sainz. “Two weeks later, I still think the penalty is too disproportionate and I believe it should have at least been reviewed on the basis of the evidence and reasoning we have presented.

“We have to continue working together to improve certain things for the future. The consistency and decision making process has been a hot topic for many seasons now and we need to be clearer for the sake of our sport. What happened in Australia is now in the past and I am 100% focused on the next race in Baku,” summed up Sainz.

The statement comes after Ferrari accepted the verdict, but not before their own saying about the inconsistency and how the FIA needs to address and discuss such shortcomings and indifferent executions of the rules and regulations.

“We acknowledge the FIA decision not to grant us a right of review in relation to the penalty imposed on Carlos Sainz at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix,” Ferrari said in a statement. “We are naturally disappointed, and felt that we had provided sufficient significant new elements for the FIA to re-examine the decision especially in the context of the particular conditions and multiple incidents that occurred during the final restart.

“We are however respectful of the process and of the FIA decision. We are now looking forward to entering broader discussions with the FIA, F1, and all the teams, with the aim of further improving the policing of our sport, in order to ensure the highest level of fairness and consistency that our sport deserves.”

One of the key reference that Ferrari made in their defence was the 2014 incident between Sahara Force India’s Sergio Perez and Williams’ Felipe Massa in Canadian GP. The two collided on the last lap which resulted in a penalty to the Mexican for causing one.

They couldn’t meet the stewards as they were in the hospital for precaution. Sahara Force India challenged the decision and their evidence was initially granted, only to be dismissed. The FIA reckons both the incidents are different and cannot be considered as precedence.

In that case, the stewards were not certain about who was to be blamed wholly when the incident took place and wanted to review post-race and hear from the drivers. But in the case of Sainz, it was clear to the stewards who was to be blamed.

Here’s what the FIA said dismissing the penalty review

Here’s Lapo Elkann urges Ferrari to look beyond politics

Here’s Christian Horner responding to Frederic Vasseur’s remarks

Here’s Charles Leclerc requesting privacy

Here’s Charles Leclerc on frustrations

Here’s news on Charles Leclerc watch theft

Here’s Felipe Massa on legal chances regarding 2008 title