Sometimes it is extremely difficult to find answers or explanations for blatant injustices. The least one can do is not remain impassive and try to send a message, taking action in order to ensure that things change in the future. And it is precisely from this premise that everything you are about to read was composed.
The incident
Carlos Sainz received a 10-second penalty – and 2 points on his driver's licence – at the Dutch Grand Prix.
An outrageous punishment when compared to what happened: in an attempt to overtake, the Spaniard pulled alongside Liam Lawson on the outside of turn 1. Following a slight oversteer by the VCARB driver, due to the lack temperature of the tyres (still cold at the time of the restart from a Safety Car), the two cars made contact.
Both drivers ended up with punctures, which ruined their chances of achieving a good result.
However, the effect of the contact should not overshadow the FIA's decision. In an official document, the race stewards explained their reasons as follows: "Car number 30 [Lawson's, ed.] had the right of way [as it was ahead of the apex, ed.], so car number 55 [Sainz's, ed.] is wholly or predominantly responsible for the collision."
The new guidelines...
Ahead of the 2025 season, the stewards have introduced new guidelines on overtaking manoeuvres. And this is the result.
In the specific case of the Zandvoort race, Lawson had left enough space for Sainz, but the question must be asked: how could the Williams driver have expected his rival to correct his oversteer?
The former Ferrari driver calculated his move correctly. The event that led to the contact was unforeseen and unforseable, really.
As per this exact reasoning, the Sainz-Lawson incident should have been classified as a racing incident, just like the one between Leclerc and Russell at turn 12.
Let's be open and honest: if Antonelli received a 10-second penalty for completely misjudging an overtaking manoeuvre on Leclerc, then Sainz can not be penalised in the same way for a mistake that Lawson made.
The appeal to the FIA, therefore, arises spontaneously: they need to start from scratch with the regulations, otherwise there is a serious risk of seeing more crazy decisions like yesterday's.
Read also: Dutch GP - Piastri wins as Hadjar gets maiden podium, Norris and both Ferraris out
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the Dutch GP 2025
