Sainz fined for Japanese GP national anthem delay despite stomach issue

Carlos Sainz has been fined €20,000, with €10,000 of that suspended, by the FIA stewards for being late for the national anthem ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Williams Formula 1 driver was late to the Japanese national anthem on the grid due to a stomach upset and was visiting a doctor at the track ahead of the race.

According to the FIA, Sainz was “not in place for the National Anthem at the specified time of 1344hrs” before the Suzuka race, breaching Article 19.4 b) of the regulations.

The driver has been given a €20,000 fine, with €10,000 suspended for a 12-month period.

Sainz received the fine despite being examined by Dr Messina of Med-Ex, who verified his stomach issues prior to the race, adding that they administered medication.

The mitigating circumstances meant that the usual penalty of €60,000 was reduced.

“The Driver arrived at the National Anthem Position after the Anthem had commenced,” the stewards noted in their explanation. “During the Drivers’ Briefing on Friday all drivers were reminded of the requirement to be in position by the time prescribed in the regulations and the need to show respect for the host country’s Anthem.

“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.”

Sainz, who started 15th after a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, finished the Japanese GP in 14th place.

Last weekend in MotoGP, Marc Marquez was shown talking to his Ducati mechanics on the grid during the United States national anthem at the Americas GP to discuss swapping bikes on a drying track, but wasn’t penalised given it is not part of the MotoGP regulations.