F1 Driver punishment confirmed after FIA investigation into Singapore GP qualifying…read more
Carlos Sainz, the Ferrari driver, has been fined €25,000 by the FIA, with half of the amount (€12,500) suspended for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season. This fine comes after an incident during the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying, where Sainz crossed the track without permission following a crash in the early moments of Q3.
Sainz had lost control of his car at the final corner as he prepared to begin a flying lap, resulting in a crash that caused the session to be red-flagged. Following the crash, Sainz walked across the track to return to the pit lane, with Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin passing close by during this time. The FIA launched an investigation into the incident, citing a breach of Article 26.7 b) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, which prohibits drivers from crossing the track without authorization.
The stewards reviewed video footage, data from the marshalling system, and received testimony from both Sainz and the Ferrari team. The investigation confirmed that Sainz had crossed the track and the pit entry road without first obtaining permission from a marshal, an act that could have resulted in a potentially dangerous situation.
The regulations clearly state that crossing the track without authorization is prohibited, and this rule was reinforced in a previous drivers’ meeting by the Race Director. Despite this, the stewards acknowledged Sainz’s belief that the track was clear, given that the crash had caused a red flag, which stopped the session. Sainz had also believed he was in a safe position, as he was beyond the pit entry, but the stewards noted that five cars were still circulating on track. There was a possibility that one of those cars could have made a mistake or entered the pit lane faster than Sainz had anticipated, which posed a potential risk.
The stewards’ decision took into account that while Sainz’s transgression occurred under red flag conditions, making it somewhat less severe, it was still a clear violation of the rules. This made his case different from previous incidents involving drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, both of whom had crossed the track under Safety Car conditions.
Hamilton, for instance, was fined €50,000 (half of which was suspended) after crossing the track at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. He had walked across the circuit after retiring from a collision with his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, at the first corner. Meanwhile, Norris received a similar penalty after retiring during the Miami sprint race earlier in the 2024 season.
Sainz’s punishment is lighter in comparison due to the mitigating circumstances of the red flag, as the stewards recognized that his offense did not occur during active racing conditions. Nonetheless, the FIA emphasized that the rules are in place for safety reasons, and any breach—whether under red flag or Safety Car—must be taken seriously. The stewards’ decision also highlighted the importance of drivers obtaining permission from marshals before crossing the track, regardless of their perception of the situation’s safety.
In a post-qualifying press conference in Singapore, Hamilton humorously referenced his own previous penalty, saying, “Where that rule is, there’s a picture of me,” acknowledging the similarity between his offense and Sainz’s.
Ultimately, the €25,000 fine reflects the seriousness of the breach, but the suspension of half the amount for the remainder of the 2024 season indicates the FIA’s recognition of the unique context of Sainz’s actions. The fine will only be fully imposed if Sainz commits a similar violation in the future.
The incident serves as a reminder to all drivers about the importance of adhering to safety regulations, particularly in potentially hazardous situations where other cars may still be active on the circuit.
