A ‘pretty expensive poo’ saw F1 driver Carlos Sainz fined more than $11,000. His cursing response might cost him again | CNN


A ‘pretty expensive poo’ saw F1 driver Carlos Sainz fined more than $11,000. His cursing response might cost him again | CNN

Published 7:35 AM EDT, Fri April 11, 2025 CNN — Williams driver Carlos Sainz could face a further fine after swearing in a press conference when criticizing a penalty he received at last week’s Japanese Grand Prix. The Spaniard was fined €10,000 (around $11,340) by the FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, for arriving late on the grid for the national anthem in Suzuka. The penalty had been reduced after a doctor verified that Sainz had experienced stomach issues prior to the race, requiring him to go to the toilet. He was given medication for the problem. Ahead of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, the 30-year-old swore in his pre-race press conference as he criticized the FIA’s decision. “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,” Sainz told reporters on Thursday. “So 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. “But yeah, I don’t know if I’m going to get another fine for saying this, but sh*t happens.” According to the FIA’s guidelines, drivers can be fined up to €60,000 ($68,377) for being late for a race host’s national anthem.