After the Grand Prix of the Netherlands, Williams driver Carlot Carlos Sainz has brought sharp criticism of the racing commissioners.
The Spaniard describes his punishment of ten seconds and two penalty points as a “complete joke” after colliding with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson at the restart after Lewis Hamilton’s accident. Sainz had set the outside in the way to curve one, Lawson inside – the bikes touched, the Williams caught a tire damage.
The case was clear to the stewards: “The front wheel of Auto 55 [Sainz] Was not in front of the car 30 at the apex 30 [Lawson]. Auto 55 tried to stay outside and there was a collision. We evaluated that Auto was entitled to the curve and Auto 55 was mainly to blame. “
But Sainz sees it completely differently and you heard that during the race on the radio. Immediately after the contact, the Spaniard reported on the radio: “He is just so stupid. Oh my god. This guy, it’s just the same guy!”
When his racing engineer finally informs him of the punishment, Sainz falls off from faith: “Who? Who will get the punishment?”, Sainz is surprised. “You get her,” confirmed Williams team, whereupon Sainz can no longer get involved: “Do you jokes?
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Sainz: Zandvoort allows duels – only with Lawson
Even after the race in the interviews, Sainz is unchecked: “First: The situation was very clear,” explains the 30-year-old. “We have seen countless times here that two cars come by side by curve one without contact. This is a curve that allows that. But with Liam it always seems difficult. He prefers to see the touch or tire damage than just let two cars drive side by side.”
Above all, the punishment against him brings Sainz to the palm: “And then I get ten seconds? This is a complete joke. I will now go to the stewards to be explained. This is not the level of race management that Formula 1 needs. As a driver, as a GPDA director – this is a serious topic that I will address.”
He didn’t even attack Lawson aggressively: “I didn’t want to overtake him at all. I only left him the room to get him out of the position for curve two and three. Then suddenly the contact, completely unexpected. Another race in which I could easily get fifth and ten points – and again I feel through my hands.”
Lawson counters: just a risky maneuver
Liam Lawson is also frustrated – but about Sainz ‘public accusations. “Sure, he is not happy. I also not. My race was ruined. But we all know the rules, and they have already written. I have already been punished this year because I thought I had to leave more space. It was similar here – it was a restart, cold tires, very slippery, we touch ourselves.
Lawson particularly bothered that Sainz spoke plainly in front of the media: “He can make as many comments as he wants. I would have found it better, he would have come directly to me instead of telling it to everyone. But if it had been my fault, I would have been punished. It is so simple.”
Sainz announces aftermath
Williams teammate Alexander Albon strengthens Sainz. The Thai, right behind the two in the duel, found clear words: “For me it was pretty clear Liam. In the middle of the curve, he simply opened the steering wheel and pushed out Carlos. Where should Carlos go there for me.”
Albon also calls for a subsequent examination in unclear situations: “If you are not sure, then you should look at it after the race. But it was just wrong.”
For Sainz, the frustration remains great – not only through the awarded World Cup points, but also through the signal effect. “If the race management really believes that you get a punishment for something like this, then it not only affects me, but the whole Formula 1. This is dangerous for the way we do racing. I want to answer – and I will get it.”