F1 News: Carlos Sainz And Ferrari Slapped With Fine Following Dutch GP Qualifying
Carlos Sainz and Ferrari have been slapped with a €5000 fine for a "potentially dangerous manoeuvre" during the Dutch GP qualifying session earlier today.
The Ferrari team struggled during qualifying with both Sainz and Charles Leclerc losing control on multiple occasions. The latter crashed during Q3 meaning he finished up qualifying in ninth position. Whereas, Sainz will be starting the race in Zandvoort from sixth position.
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The official letter from The Stewards reads:
"Sainz was exiting the pits and immediately moved to the racing line before turn 2. In doing so Piastri who was on track, had to take avoiding action and was partially forced off track and onto the grass. In the opinion of the Stewards this was a 'Potentially Dangerous' manoeuvre, and a crash was only avoided by the actions of Piastri.
"The Stewards listened to the radio of Bottas, who was the car that exited the pits immediately ahead of Sainz, and Bottas was given ample warning of Piastri approaching on the track. By comparison Sainz was warned not to cross the white line at the exit of the pits, and was not warned about Piastri until he was already alongside."
Sainz was not the only driver to receive a penalty following qualifying with Yuki Tsunoda being handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lewis Hamilton.
Max Verstappen will be starting his home race from pole position followed by McLaren's Lando Norris, Mercedes' George Russell, and Williams' Alex Albon.