Days after he was fined 20,000 pounds with half of the amount being suspended for arriving late for the national anthems at last week’s Japanese Grand Prix, Formula One driver Carlos Sainz has opened up on the controversy arising due to a ‘loo break’ undertaken taken by him prior to the national anthems at the Suzuka circuit. The Williams driver, who finished the Japanese Grand Prix in 14th place after starting from the 15th spot on the starting grid, had faced stomach issues prior to the race and visited a Formula One doctor on his way prior to joining the drivers on the starting grid.
“I’m the biggest supporter of punctuality and being, in a way, a gentleman and being punctual to things, especially an anthem with all the authorities there. I was the first one to put my hand up and say: ‘I’m late, I’m sorry for that’. At the same time, I was five seconds late. To be five seconds late and have to pay €10,000 … it’s out of the question that we’re having to pay these fines. I don’t know if I’m going to get another fine for saying this, but sh*t happens. It’s the way it goes sometimes, and it was an expensive one. It’s disappointing,” Sainz told the media in the official press conference ahead of Monday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 30-year-old Formula One driver had come into the Japanese Grand Prix after a 13th-place finish at China Grand Prix earlier. The Spanish driver was scheduled to start on the 15th place on the starting grid in the Japanese Grand Prix before the toilet break meant that the driver arrived for the national anthems late. “Displaying respect for the national anthem is a high priority and all parties need to consider every eventuality in planning to be in position for the anthem by the required time,” the FIA said in a statement earlier this week.
Post the race, the stewards too mentioned the incident in their report post which the FIA sanctioned Sainz for a fine of 60,000 pounds, which was later reduced to 20,000 pounds.
“The driver stated that just prior to the anthem, he experienced discomfort due a stomach issue which delayed his appearance on the grid. This was verified by Dr Messina of Med-Ex who confirmed the issue and stated he had provided appropriate medication for the driver. Notwithstanding the above, displaying respect for the national anthem is a high priority and all parties need to consider every eventuality in planning to be in position for the anthem by the required time.” Stated the steward’s report as reported by Wide World of Sports.
Sainz defended himself and also questioned where the penalty would be spent. “As I always said, I hope someone tells me where this 10k goes and I can say at least it went for a nice cause, and I will be looking forward to seeing where they go.” said Sainz.
Meanwhile, Formula One driver George Russel also shared his point over the issue. “It’s a pretty expensive poo. It’s not quite as straightforward as people may think for us to be there on time. We’re often running to the toilet and there’s sometimes just not toilets available between the time you jump out of the car and go to the anthem. You get stopped by some people, have a grid or people asking for a quick interview, so it’s not like we’ve got one sole job and that’s only it. We’re trying to take our moment before the Grand Prix and being there on that minute is sometimes not straightforward.” Russel said while speaking with the media on Thursday.
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Sainz also risks further fines due to FIA’s policy of restricting use of swearing words and could be the first driver this season facing such a fine.