Carlos Sainz has been summoned by the FIA stewards for alleged dangerous driving during the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he ultimately retired from the race. The summons refers to a potential breach of Article 33.4 of the FIA’s Sporting Regulations, which prohibits drivers from operating their cars in a manner that could be deemed excessively slow, erratic, or dangerous to others. However, the FIA did not specify the exact incident that triggered this inquiry.
Sainz started the race from the pit lane and was making his way through the field when he crashed on lap 40, leading to the deployment of the Safety Car. During the recovery process, as marshals approached his stranded Ferrari, Sainz attempted to drive away before coming to a complete stop. This action raised concerns among officials about his conduct in a critical moment of the race, potentially influencing the safety of other drivers and the recovery operation.
The meeting with the stewards is scheduled for 16:15 local time (19:15 GMT), where Sainz will discuss the circumstances of the incident alongside a team representative. This summons adds to a busy day for the FIA stewards, who were also dealing with other significant events during the race, indicating a heightened level of scrutiny on driver conduct.
In a related incident, Nico Hulkenberg was black-flagged for receiving assistance from the marshals after spinning off the track. This marked the first black flag in a race since the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, emphasizing the strict enforcement of safety regulations. Such actions highlight the FIA’s commitment to maintaining safety standards, especially during chaotic racing conditions.
Additionally, the Brazilian Grand Prix was marred by multiple investigations even after the race concluded. Mercedes faced scrutiny for allegedly changing the tyre pressures of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton’s cars in violation of rules. Furthermore, four drivers—Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Russell—were being investigated for leaving the grid under yellow flags after an aborted start caused by Lance Stroll’s car becoming stranded. These incidents reflect the challenges faced by the FIA in ensuring compliance with regulations and ensuring driver safety during high-pressure situations.
