F1 star ruthlessly fined £17,000 after falling ill at Japanese Grand Prix

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz was slapped with a hefty fine after turning up late to the national anthem performance at the Japanese Grand Prix.

That’s despite the Williams star having a valid excuse as he fell ill just before the race and had to visit the on-track doctor.

Max Verstappen claimed his first win of the season at Suzuka on Sunday, holding off the challenge of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

It was in truth a rather dull grand prix, with conditions making it tough for drivers to make many overtakes, something that scuppered Yuki Tsunoda on his Red Bull debut.

It was also a race to forget for Sainz who started 15th after getting penalised for blocking Sir Lewis Hamilton in qualifying and could only finish 14th, while teammate Alex Albon scored points again.

But the Spaniard’s weekend then went from bad to worse as he was summoned to the stewards and subsequently fined €20,000 (£17,000) for missing the start of the pre-race national anthem.

Drivers are required to be stood at the front of the grid when the national anthem is performed just minutes prior to the start of each grand prix.

Sainz only missed the start of the performance as he had gone to the medical centre after complaining of stomach pains but he would receive little sympathy from the FIA.

‘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,’ the stewards explained.

‘It is noted that the Penalty Guidelines prescribed in Appendix B of the FIA International Sporting Code, list a penalty for this offence, of €60,000.

‘However in mitigation, the driver stated that just prior to the anthem, he experienced discomfort due [to] a stomach issue which delayed his appearance on the grid. This was verified by Dr Messina of Med-Ex who confirmed the issue and stated he had provided appropriate medication for the driver.

‘Notwithstanding the above, 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. Hence a penalty similar to that imposed for a similar breach in Canada in 2024, is imposed.’

While the stewards did lessen the fine, it is still double what Tsunoda had to pay when he arrived late to the anthem in Montreal last year.

Half of Sainz’s fine has been suspended providing he does not commit the same breach of the rules over the next 12 months.

This incident is perhaps a reflection of the FIA enforcing stricter regulations surrounding drivers’ conduct, with the motorsport governing body introducing a controversial and deeply unpopular swearing ban ahead of the 2025 season.

‘Unfortunately, as expected, difficult race today stuck in traffic after a costly Saturday, but I think the pace was there,’ former McLaren and Ferrari star Sainz posted on Twitter.

‘I was comfortable with the car and managed to do good overtakes. We’ll keep building from here. On to Bahrain!’

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