Carlos Sainz has risked a further fine after swearing in an official news conference when discussing a punishment he was given at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Williams driver was fined €10,000 (£8,648), with half of it suspended, in Suzuka last weekend after turning up late for the playing of the national anthem on the grid.
Sainz explained that he had experienced stomach issues that required a trip to the toilet, but was fined nonetheless.
During media day at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Thursday, Sainz expressed his frustration with the fine, saying: “I’m the biggest supporter of punctuality and being – in a way – a gentleman, being punctual to things, and especially a national anthem, with all the authorities there.”
However, Sainz’s choice to employ a swear word in the news conference risks him being given a further fine by governing body the FIA.
The move follows Max Verstappen being forced to do the equivalent of community service for swearing in a news conference at the Singapore Grand Prix last September.
FELLOW DRIVERS SHOW SOLIDARITY
Sainz’s fellow GPDA director George Russell of Mercedes showed solidarity with his colleague, saying: “It’s a pretty expensive poo.” Russell also expressed his frustration with the FIA, following the resignation on Thursday of the deputy president of sport, Robert Reid, in protest at the organisation’s direction.
Sainz added that he hopes someone tells him where the €10,000 fine goes, saying: “I hope, as I’ve always said, I hope someone tells me where this €10K goes.
And they say, ‘OK, at least it went to a nice cause,’ and I will be looking forward to seeing where they go.”
