Table of Contents
- Carlos Sainz fine at the Japanese Grand Prix has shocked many F1 fans
- He missed the national anthem before the race began due to a bad stomach
- He rushed to the toilet and returned midway only to be fined $21,830 for ‘disrespecting the host country’
Carlos Sainz fine by the FIA for answering a call of nature in the middle of the national anthem at the Japanese Grand Prix has shocked many people.
Questions now abound over the strictness of FIA rules for F1 drivers. No one thought that the Spanish driver would be slapped with such a hefty fine for a bathroom break.
For Sainz, he has a sour memory of the past racing weekend in Japan. Stewards were on his neck shortly after appearing late for the national anthem.
The end result, a $21,830 fine on top of the pressure to perform for Williams at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz Fine at the Japanese Grand Prix
The now infamous Carlos Sainz fine by the FIA was occasioned by a pre-race procedure breach. Sainz was required to be at the grid as Japan’s national anthem played.
FIA has a strict code of conduct for F1 drivers. Its pre-race schedule requires that all Formula 1 drivers be on the grid as the national anthem of the host country plays.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz. Photo/RacingNews365
However, Sainz had a medical issue that kept him away from the grid while the national anthem played. He had a running stomach which required him to take an emergency bathroom break.
He then appeared on the grid as midway the national anthem. Stewards immediately fined him $21,830 for this breach.
The 30-year-old was under medication for the stomach bug but the FIA still fined him.
In a statement, the FIA stated that all participating F1 drivers were informed on Friday that they were needed on the grid when the national anthem played.
According to the Formula One governing body, this shows respect to the host country. Further, the FIA said that it was aware of his medical issue but would be ‘lenient’.
Penalty Guidelines as contained in the FIA International Sporting Code for this breach means Carlos Sainz fine should have been $110,000.
However, the FIA sympathized with him and fined him $21,830. The statement further noted that his doctor, Dr Messina of Med-Ex ascertained that Sainz had a stomach issue and he treated him.
Outcry Over the Fine
Williams driver Carlos Sainz. Photo/GPFans
A section of F1 fans and pundits slammed the FIA for fining Sainz while it was clear that he had a medical emergency. Popular F1 commentator and podcaster Tommy Bellingham termed Carloz Sainz fine ‘insane’ adding that it was a wrong call by the FIA.
The co-host of P1 podcast said Sainz ‘couldn’t stand there and poop in his pants’ just for the national anthem to end.
Matt Gallagher, Bellingham’s host remarked that the Williams driver did not disrespect Japan in any way. Gallagher noted that it was right within human psychology for Sainz to excuse himself and empty his bowels because his body demanded so.
Brandon Junior, an F1 fan expressed that the FIA played an insensitive card to the Spanish driver’s woes.
“That was insensitive of the FIA. His doctor confirmed that he treated him and we are all aware that a running stomach knows no patience. When it rumbles the first time, you don’t wait for a second warning to rush to the bathroom. Otherwise, you end up soiling yourself,” he posted on X.
The Williams driver started the race in Suzuka on P15 and completed P14. Williams is fifth in the Constructor Championship.
