Carlos Sainz potential penalty in F1 Brazilian GP: verdict from race stewards arrives. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was investigated for an infringement in the F1 Sao Paulo GP.

Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz was investigated for an infringement committed during the Brazilian Grand Prix: the race stewards have now revealed the outcome.

After the damage, the insult: Carlos Sainz risked receiving a penalty following his incident at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

It was an uphill weekend for the Ferrari driver, fresh from his victory in Mexico. Friday in Interlagos did not start well for the Spaniard, who never managed to find the right rhythm.

On a track where the Scuderia was penalized from the start, Carlos Sainz had an incident in qualifying that forced the team to change the power unit and gearbox. Starting from the pit lane and attempting a comeback did not bring him into the points. In a Grand Prix marked by multiple Safety Cars and a red flag, the future Williams driver tried to get back in the game. However, at the restart, he spun and crashed into the barriers. Retirement and the race ended for him.

Driver #55 was noticed by the race stewards while committing a dangerous maneuver, which would be investigated at the end of the Brazilian GP. In fact, the Spaniard would have violated Article 33.4 of the sporting regulations.

Thus, the outcome of the penalty was announced: would Carlos Sainz receive a sanction in Brazil? The race stewards opted for a reprimand: therefore, no sanction for the Ferrari driver. The Spaniard had “removed the steering wheel indicating to the marshals that he was abandoning the car,” reads the FIA statement.

“The team then informed the driver that they thought the car was able to continue the race. The driver repositioned the steering wheel while the marshals had begun to recover the car.”

Carlos Sainz, however, admitted he did not know they were starting this procedure. “By removing the steering wheel, the driver was clearly indicating that he was abandoning his car.”

With this maneuver, the Spaniard avoided creating a dangerous situation.