Carlos Sainz fined for national anthem delay despite illness ahead of Japanese GP
Carlos Sainz was fined for arriving late to the national anthem ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix after visiting doctors for a stomach issue
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Kym Illman (Getty Images)
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 Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix.
The Williams 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.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Clive Rose / Getty Images
"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 for Williams.
Last weekend in MotoGP, Marc Marquez was shown talking to his Ducati mechanics during the United States national anthem at the Americas GP, but wasn’t penalised given it is not part of the MotoGP regulations.
Photos from Japanese GP - Race
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
Share Or Save This Story
Exotic dancers target Canadian Grand Prix weekend with Montreal strike
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Daniel Ricciardo pushes back on claims F1 drivers look down on IndyCar ahead of first Indy 500 visit
F1 fans split over Carlos Sainz's first laps at Madrid's new circuit
Carlos Sainz isn’t “going to criticise it anymore” – but still says 2026 F1 rules are “not good enough"
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
James Vowles explains why Williams cannot immediately fix FW48 weight issue
James Vowles sets timeline for consistent Williams F1 points
Alex Albon on why the Miami GP has won him over after Williams points finish
IndyCar penalizes Collet and Harvey after Indy 500 inspection failures
Alexander Rossi admits “It’s not often that you are happy with second place” after Indy 500 qualifying
It was a good Dover race, but not the NASCAR All-Star Race
Exotic dancers target Canadian Grand Prix weekend with Montreal strike
How F1's ADUO system works
How Colton Herta is chasing his F1 dream
How Formula 1 driving has changed – and stayed the same
Remembering a lost Italian F1 hero 40 years on
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments