Carlos Sainz was handed a 5-second penalty and one penalty point on his license for causing a collision with McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the Miami Grand Prix, resulting in the Ferrari driver dropping from fourth to fifth position in the final standings.
As a result of the stewards’ decision, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was bumped up to fourth position in the race’s classification.
The incident between Sainz and Piastri occurred during a close battle for position between the two drivers in the final tier of the race after the McLaren driver made a forceful move at Turn 11, pushing Sainz wide and maintaining the lead.
Although they had avoided contact, a clearly unhappy Sainz went too deep into Turn 17 on the following lap, colliding with Piastri and causing damage to the Aussie’s front wing. The Aussie tumbled down the order following his subsequent pitstop while Sainz was able to finish fourth on the road.
However, the clash was put under review by the stewards who ruled that Sainz was responsible for the collision.
“It was clear to us that Car 55 was to blame for the collision. In the overtake attempt, Car 55 braked late, missed the apex, and in the process lost the rear, with the resulting collision. Although Car 81 was trying to turn in to counter the overtaking attempt, Car 81 gave sufficient room to Car 55,” the Stewards stated.
“In the circumstances, we find Car 55 to be predominantly to blame for the collision.
“In this case, we took into account, as mitigating factors, the fact that but for the slight loss of control of the rear by Car 55, the collision would likely not have happened and it would have been hard but good racing.”
Additional penalties added after the checkered flag included two sanctions against Haas’ Kevin Magnussen – 10 seconds for causing a collision with Logan Sargeant and 20 seconds for entering the pitlane during the Safety Car period and not changing tyres – and a 10-second penalty for Lance Stroll for leaving track limits and gaining an advantage.
Magnussen penalty-ridden Miami weekend leaves the Dane just two points short of a race ban.
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