Carlos Sainz Criticizes F1 Stewards Over Dutch GP 10-Second Penalty

Carlos Sainz received a 10-second penalty and two penalty points at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix after a collision with Liam Lawson during a restart at Turn 1, a decision he vehemently disagrees with. The stewards ruled that Sainz was at fault because his front axle was not alongside Lawson's at the corner apex, granting Lawson the right to the corner and blaming Sainz for the collision that caused punctures for both drivers. Sainz criticized the penalty as a "complete joke," arguing that Turn 1 at Zandvoort routinely allows side-by-side racing without contact and blaming Lawson for aggressive racing that risks unnecessary contact. He expressed frustration both on team radio and in post-race interviews, calling the stewarding level inadequate for Formula 1 and intending to seek direct explanations from the stewards. Fans and observers shared Sainz's anger, with many questioning the fairness of the penalty and supporting his view that Lawson's driving style contributed to the incident. The penalty dropped Sainz to 13th place, ending his streak of trying to score points after several difficult races.