Sainz set for three-place grid penalty ahead of Spanish Grand Prix
Formula One returns to Madrid for the first time in four decades with city-native Carlos Sainz acting as an ambassador for the circuit however it has not been a fairytale weekend for the Spanish driver so far. Following an early exit in Q1, it has now been announced that Sainz will have to serve a three-place grid penalty ahead of Sunday's race due to impeding Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas during qualifying.
The incident, which took place in the final minutes of the first part of qualifying, saw Sainz in front of the Finnish driver with little notice from his race engineer or anyone else on the Williams' pit-wall. According to the stewards, it was clear that "the driver did not take any action to make way for the incoming car" which hindered Bottas.
Although team representatives for both Williams and Cadillac were present, the stewards' announcement made clear that they had collectively "reviewed video, timing, team radio and in-car video evidence" prior to coming to their decision. Ultimately, the stewards made the distinction that the incident in question was an action of "unnecessarily imped[ing]" by the Spanish driver.
Even ahead of the penalty announcement, Sainz was not happy with what he described as a "not a very clean session". Although Williams did not have high hopes coming into this weekend, it was a difficult showing for the Spanish driver especially as his teammate was able to progress into Q2.
Discussing the reason for his early exit, Sainz was clear that his car was "lacking a bit of performance on the straights" which gravely impacts lap-time at this new purpose-built street circuit. Even prior to the stewards' announcement, Sainz was discussing that the impeding incident which occured "without any notice from the pit wall", also hampered his potential progress into Q2.
With the penalty, the Spanish driver will be starting in 20th which means that his chances for points, especially with the limits in performance for his car, will be limited. The likelihood of succeeding, as Sainz made clear, will "depend on others making mistakes" which is likely considering the lack of previous data from this circuit. Looking ahead to Sunday's Grand Prix, Sainz was optimistic that he and the team "will try our best to come back" to put on a good performance in front of the Spanish, and his home, crowd.
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