Carlos Sainz is risking another hefty fine after swearing in response to a question about a separate punishment he received at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Williams driver was handed a £17,000 fine for being late to the national anthems at Suzuka as he was going to the toilet. Half of the punishment is suspended for 12 months.
But with the FIA clamping down on swearing during press conference, Sainz could face another fine of around £35,000 after saying ‘s***’ while discussing his previous misdemeanours.
“I don’t know if I’ll get another fine for saying this…but s*** happens,” Sainz said.
“It’s the way it goes sometimes. €10,000 for [being] five seconds [late], is disappointing.
“I hope, as I always say, that someone tells me where this €10,000 goes, and they say, ‘OK at least it goes to a nice cause’, and I’ll be looking forward to see where [it goes].
“I’m the biggest supporter of punctuality and being – in a way – a gentleman, being punctual to things, and especially a national anthem, with all the authorities there. I was the first one to put my hand up and say, ‘I’m late. I’m sorry for that.’
“At the same time, I was five seconds late. And to be five seconds late and have to pay €10,000 or whatever the fine is, for me, it is out of the question that we are having to pay these fines.”
