During qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, there was a problem between Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. Sainz had just finished his fast lap and was driving slowly back to the pits. But instead of moving out of the way, he stayed on the racing line at Turn 1. At the same time, Hamilton was trying to do a fast lap. Because Sainz was in the way, Hamilton had to leave the track to avoid a crash. He was clearly unhappy and told his team on the radio.

Even with the problem, Hamilton managed to finish his lap and made it into the final part of qualifying. He will start the race in 8th place. Sainz, however, got into trouble with the stewards.

After the session, the stewards looked at video, data, and team radio. They said that Sainz “unnecessarily got in the way” of Hamilton. Sainz said he didn’t know Hamilton was coming because his team didn’t warn him, and he couldn’t see Hamilton in his mirrors. But the stewards still gave Sainz a three-place grid penalty. This means instead of starting the race in 12th, he will now start from 15th.

A document released by the FIA states: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, team radio and in-car video evidence.

“Car 55 was on an in lap after having completed a push lap when Car 44 was starting its push lap, and Car 44 had to move off track to avoid Car 55 in Turn 1.

“The driver of Car 55 stated that he did not have any warning from the team, of the approach of Car 44 on a push lap. 

“He stated that he was caught completely by surprise and because of the approach speed of Car 44, and the angle of his car, he could not see Car 44 in his mirrors.

“However notwithstanding the above, the team had ample warning that Car 44 was on an out lap whilst Car 55 was on its push lap.

“Also, more than 8 seconds elapsed from when it was obvious Car 44 was not going into the pits, and hence was going to start a push lap, and when Car 55 could have taken appropriate action if the driver had been warned by the team.”