Carlos Sainz has been given a three place grid penalty for the Russian Grand Prix for a collision with Lance Stroll during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Both drivers retired from the event as a result of the collision and it was investigated by the stewards after the race.
The collision occurred at the start of lap 13 in the first corner. The Toro Rosso driver had exited the pit lane after making a pit stop, coming out slightly behind the Williams rookie. As Stroll entered the first corner well ahead of Sainz, he took the normal racing line. Sainz attempted to overtake the Canadian along the inside of the corner, but the duo collided. The right sidepod of Stroll’s car was severely damaged and the front wing and suspension of Sainz’s car was also damaged. Both drivers were forced to retire from the race and the incident brought out the only safety car of the evening.
Each driver blamed the other for the incident and the stewards met with the pair following the race. After discussing the incident and reviewing video footage and telemetry, the stewards found Sainz in violation of article 27.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. The regulation states:
“At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.”
The stewards awarded Sainz a three place grid penalty for the next round of the season in Russia, while also giving him two penalty points on his license. The latest addition brings his total to seven over the past year. Under the current regulations, the penalty cannot be appealed by the team.
