Carlos Sainz’s penalty for his collision with Liam Lawson during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort has been overturned following an appeal by the Williams team. The decision came days after Sainz was initially penalized with a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points on his super licence for the incident.
The clash happened late in the race as Sainz, driving for Ferrari, and Lawson, racing for Red Bull’s junior team, competed fiercely for points. Both drivers suffered punctures during the event, with Sainz finishing 13th and publicly criticizing the penalty immediately afterwards.
Details of the Appeal and Hearing
Williams formally lodged their appeal four days after the race, aiming specifically to remove the two penalty points assigned to Sainz. The review process involved a virtual hearing attended by representatives from both Williams and Red Bull, along with the race stewards.
On Saturday following the hearing, the FIA announced that the penalty points on Sainz’s licence had been rescinded. However, the 10-second time penalty that had affected his race result remained in place.
The key to Williams’ successful appeal was the submission of previously unavailable evidence. They provided footage captured by a 360-degree camera mounted on Sainz’s car, offering new insight into the incident and leading the stewards to reconsider their initial judgment.
Implications of the Rescinded Penalty
Removing the penalty points from Sainz’s super licence is significant as accumulating points can lead to further sanctions or race bans. The ruling means that while Sainz’s race position stands as it was, his record for future events remains clearer.
This decision highlights the importance of thorough video analysis in adjudicating on-track incidents and may influence how teams approach appeals in coming Formula 1 races. With the season progressing, drivers and teams will continue to monitor such rulings closely, as maintaining a clean licence is crucial in the high-stakes competition of Formula 1.
