Carlos Sainz has avoided a penalty despite swearing in a FIA press conference at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The sport’s governing body had introduced a crackdown on driver conduct during the off-season.
Thus, many thought it was inevitable that Sainz would cop another fine when he cursed in Thursday’s official presser. Ironically, the Spaniard was discussing a financial penalty he received at the previous race in Japan.
Sainz was fined over £17k (albeit 50% suspended) for being late to the national anthem ceremony. He felt this was unfair because he was dealing with stomach issues that were known to the FIA.
The Williams driver made light of the situation by saying ‘s— happens’, but a meeting with the stewards seemed inevitable. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen were both sanctioned for similar offences last year.
Carlos Sainz was far more apologetic than Charles Leclerc after swearing at Bahrain Grand Prix
Verstappen had to carry out motorsport community service for the language he used in the Singapore press conference. That led to a remarkable act of defiance where he held his post-qualifying interview in the open air of the paddock.
A month later, Sainz’s former Ferrari teammate Leclerc was fined just under £8k (again with half of it suspended) for using an expletive in Mexico. On the face of it, the latest decision doesn’t seem consistent.
But reporting live from the Bahrain Grand Prix paddock on the RacingNews365 YouTube channel, journalist Ian Parkes explained the key difference. Sainz had been far more contrite in his conversations with the FIA afterwards.
“When I spoke to the FIA, and the FIA delegate told me that they would not be pursuing the case against Carlos Sainz, I was very surprised,” Parkes said.
“However, at least the FIA delegate – a gentleman by the name of Cameron Kelleher, who is here in Bahrain overseeing the Grand Prix – explained why he wouldn’t be forwarding the case to the stewards.
“Cameron managed to track down Carlos, he had a good, long chat with him and in fairness to Carlos, he was very repentant. He apologised profusely for the use of his words.
“Cameron Kelleher was overseeing that FIA press conference. I looked at him when Carlos said that phrase, and Cameron rolled his eyes.
“It was felt that on this occasion, given Carlos’ position and his character and his demeanour, that Cameron would not forward it, which is in stark contrast to Charles Leclerc at the Mexico City Grand Prix last year.
“The way Charles presented himself to the FIA delegate when they had words, it was in complete contrast to the way Carlos presented himself.”
Why Red Bull are frustrated with the FIA at the Bahrain Grand Prix
Sainz is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, having replaced Sebastian Vettel. The GPDA have pushed back on the conduct fines, questioning whether the money goes and asking to be treated like adults.
One could argue that Sainz let Vettel down by swearing in a premeditated fashion. Many feel that heat-of-the-moment cursing is forgivable, but it’s fair to expect cleaner language in the calm of a press conference.
Christian Horner may have questions for the FIA after the tense dispute involving Verstappen last year. But his main gripe seems to concern McLaren.
Red Bull are trying to rally fans to their side after social media footage appeared to show McLaren’s rear wing flexing once again in Japan. Frustratingly, they can’t protest because the FIA tests have already cleared the MCL39, so they’re trying to generate pressure a different way.
