Despite being the innocent victim of others ineptitude, Carlos Sainz is hit with a 10-place grid penalty for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Spaniard's Ferrari was one of two cars - the other being Esteban Ocon's Alpine - to suffer major damage by a loose manhole cover which caused the opening session to be abandoned after just 8 minutes of running.

However, while Ocon 'only' required a new tub, the Spaniard also needed a new engine and energy store.

Despite earlier claims that Mercedes, which is battling Ferrari for runner-up in the team standings, objecting to the Spaniard being allowed a derogation, a claim the German team has strenuously denied, and even though the stewards sympathised, Sainz will drop ten-places on Saturday night.

Having received a report from the FIA Technical Delegate concerning Car 55 stating that the Survival Cell, Internal Combustion Engine, Energy Store and Control Electronics were damaged beyond repair following an impact with a foreign object; and having received a request from the competitor requesting a derogation of the Sporting Regulations in order to allow a replacement of the energy store from outside the pool, without penalty; and having heard from the team representative, the Director FIA Single Seater Department, having viewed video evidence and examined the team's declaration sheet, the stewards, determined that notwithstanding the fact that the damage was caused by highly unusual external circumstances, Article 2.1 of the Sporting Regulations obliges all officials, including the stewards, to apply the regulations as they are written.

Accordingly, the mandatory penalty specified under Article 28.3 of the Sporting Regulations had to be applied.

The stewards noted that if they had the authority to grant a derogation in what they consider in this case to be mitigating, unusual and unfortunate circumstances, they would have done so, however the regulations do not allow such action.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by KKK, 17/11/2023 20:59

"And he has had to pay for damaging the drain cover! Joke !"

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2. Posted by The stogie, 17/11/2023 20:01

"Just another reason why the universally detested stewards program should be abolished and replaced with some professional race direction people."

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3. Posted by Paulinho, 17/11/2023 16:55

"Surprising really, then again it's not like them to interpretate the rules differently during a race."

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4. Posted by Mad Matt, 17/11/2023 14:59

"In football this would be where the other team kicked the ball out of play in a sporting gesture. It's be nice if the other teams all "replaced" a part in their cars so they all got the same penalty......

Yeah, I know, never as simple as that but I can dream...."

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5. Posted by Jet Jockey, 17/11/2023 13:54

"Just more proof how stupid the FIA can be."

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6. Posted by Laps, 17/11/2023 13:40

"If I was Carlos I would ask the Team to add a large graphic of a ball-and-chain to the Car for the Race. The ball to be labeled FIA. "

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Sainz hit with 10-place grid penalty

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