Carlos Sainz was handed a surprise £17,000 fine for a toilet mishap on Sunday, but things could’ve been far worse.
The Williams driver failed to make the national anthem ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka and the rules are black and white, even in the case of an embarrassing discomfort.
Drivers have to be on the grid ready exactly 16 minutes before the lights go out on a Sunday or risk a €60,000 [£51,000] penalty.
Sainz, though, managed to get his penalty reduced by two-thirds, with the FIA noting in their handing down of the fine that the Spaniard ‘experienced discomfort with a stomach issue’.
The stewards heard from a team representative, a doctor on-site who administered some medication, and checked video evidence before reducing the penalty.
The 30-year-old ended up having to pay €20,000 [£17,000] with an extra €10,000 [£8500] suspended as was reminded that respecting the host country’s national anthem is a ‘high priority’.
There is precedent for such a rule break, but Sainz may count himself unlucky, as Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda was only fined €10,000 when he committed the same offence last year in Canada.
On that occasion the team took the blame for Tsuonda failing to arrive on time, rather than Sainz having to point the finger at his stomach.
And although things could have been worse for Sainz financially, he also could have suffered a worse fate – like Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
The then-Mercedes driver was taking part in the Belgium Grand Prix which ended up being the shortest race in Formula 1 history at just two laps.
There were numerous stoppages at Spa Francorchamps as rain caused havoc as officials took three hours and 44 minutes to eventually call off the event and award half points.
During one such stoppage, Hamilton nipped to the toilets, but was left scarred for life.
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Speaking over team radio after jumping back in his cockpit, he sarcastically said: “I’m glad I went to the toilet.
“The one I went to, someone had dropped a crazy bomb in there. The worst thing ever.
“It’s going to haunt me for life.”
Sainz didn’t suffer such trauma, but he was left haunted by Hamilton instead at the start of 2024.
Ferrari announced the signing of the Brit for 2025, leaving his Spanish rival without a seat for the new season.
He eventually landed at British squad Williams, but has so far got off to a tricky start, recording just one point compared to teammate Alex Albon’s 18.
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