Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Carlos Sainz faces a potential fine from the FIA after uttering expletives during a post-race interview at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Williams driver secured his first points of the season with an eighth-place finish in Jeddah, but his frustration with loud fireworks during a TV interview led to the outburst.
Sainz’s Frustration Boils Over in Jeddah
The celebratory firework display visibly agitated the Spanish driver as he attempted to answer questions. When queried about his satisfaction with the race in the Middle East, Sainz initially responded, “Well, it’s normal that [the opening races] are tricky…”
The ongoing pyrotechnics prompted Sainz to utter two swear words before covering his mouth, pausing until there was a break in the noise.
Visibly exasperated, Sainz lowered his head. Williams teammate Alex Albon then approached the interview, echoing the sentiment: “The fireworks are longer than the national anthem!”
The former Ferrari driver waited for a lull in the display before sarcastically applauding and then resuming his interview.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
FIA’s Stance on Foul Language
Such language may put Sainz afoul of the FIA, which has recently sought to curb inappropriate language within the Formula 1 paddock.
Strict Penalties for Swearing and Criticism
Revised sporting regulations introduced in January stipulated that drivers could potentially face race bans for swearing or criticizing the sport’s governing body.
- FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s actions drew criticism after Max Verstappen was directed to perform community service for using offensive language during a press conference.
- Charles Leclerc was penalized £8,420 for using curse words at the Mexico City GP last November.
- World Rally Championship competitor Adrien Fourmaux was fined £22,500 (with £15,000 suspended) for unacceptable language during an interview in February.
Recent weeks have seen some relaxation in the severity of these punishments, with decisions to refrain from penalizing drivers for swearing over the radio during races.
Given Sainz’s location outside of his car and within the paddock, it is uncertain whether the FIA will take action against him.
Williams’ Double-Points Finish
Despite the potential repercussions, Sainz’s primary emotion in Saudi Arabia was relief after a DRS tactic helped Williams achieve a double-points result.
Albon improved from 11th to ninth position due to Sainz maintaining the gap and ensuring Albon remained within DRS range, therefore preventing Isack Hadjar from overtaking.
“Then I think it was with 12, 13 laps to go, the team asked me to give DRS to Alex to make sure Hadjar didn’t have a chance at passing us,” Sainz explained.
“It was a bit of a tricky one because you always feel it exposes you, especially on a high-speed track where the DRS has a very big effect around here.
”You always get a bit nervous about it because you cannot put a foot wrong, if you do a mistake, hit a wall or whatever. But in the end, it worked.”