Sainz hints at FIA clampdown on moving under braking

Driver etiquette when it comes to defending a position has been back in the spotlight since the battle between Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen in last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

While the FIA ultimately deemed the Dutchman’s driving to be “firm but fair”, some drivers were critical of Verstappen’s tactics, most notably Jenson Button – who described moving in the braking zone as “the most dangerous thing you can do.”

The matter was discussed in more depth during the drivers’ briefing in Germany on Friday evening.

“All the drivers agreed that moving in the braking zone is probably the most dangerous thing you can do, and that the FIA should take it a bit more seriously next time,” said Sainz.

Asked by Motorsport.com whether he expected a penalty to be imposed next time a driver attempted similar tactics to Verstappen, Sainz added: “There could be a strong chance.

“As always, they say they will look at it and decide on the rule imposed, but what is clear is that the most dangerous thing you can do is moving under braking. I’ve done it previously, and I know it’s dangerous.

"It’s getting to a point where every driver is using it a bit too much to defend a position, and it could get tricky.”

Button, meanwhile, said he expected Verstappen to now understand better why he was criticised.

"I don't want to talk about what we talked about in drivers' briefing," said Button. "But I'm sure he [Verstappen] probably understands a little bit better now than before."

Kvyat: People "overreacting a bit"

Sainz’s Toro Rosso teammate Daniil Kvyat took a softer stance towards Verstappen’s behaviour in Hungary, but said there could be a possibility that the rules about defending are altered in future.

“I think everyone is a bit overreacting on this,” said Kvyat. “Obviously, yeah, it was quite harsh defending but it happens sometimes.

“I think, unless there's a big crash, people just ignore it - I think there was no big incident so it's okay.

“We don't want to have, obviously, too much moving going on under braking, of course - there are some rules about that.

“Maybe we'll see some new rules coming because of that, but until there is something that happens, there is no point in discussing it.”