Williams Pushes FIA to Revisit Carlos Sainz Penalty Over Liam Lawson Incident

Williams has formally challenged the penalty issued to Carlos Sainz during the Dutch Grand Prix, submitting a right of review request to the FIA.



The team hopes to overturn the decision that left both Sainz and Williams frustrated after a clash with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson.



Controversial Clash at Turn 1



The incident occurred shortly after the safety car restart, when Sainz attempted a move on Lawson into Turn 1.



Both cars sustained punctures from the contact, and stewards later ruled that Sainz’s front axle was not far enough alongside Lawson’s car to justify the overtake attempt.



As a result, Sainz was handed a 10-second penalty, a decision that sparked sharp debate within the paddock.



Williams Determined to Seek Clarity



Williams confirmed it has lodged a request for review with the FIA in an official statement.



“We can confirm we have submitted a right of review to the FIA relating to Carlos’ penalty in Zandvoort,” the team said.



“It is important for us to understand how to go racing in future, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome.”



To proceed, Williams must now provide new and significant evidence that was unavailable at the time of the original ruling.



Sainz Believes Decision Was Wrong



Sainz met with stewards after the race to review footage and analysis of the clash.



He left the meeting more convinced than ever that the penalty had been incorrectly applied.



“Yeah, I did get the chance to go and speak to them after the race. I had the opportunity to go and sit with them for 15 minutes to analyse the incident,” he explained.



“And it was very clear to me that as soon as they got all the evidence, and they look at the places that they would have needed to look at to take the right decision, it was very clear to me that I think they realised that probably a decision taken wasn’t the best one.”



Focus on New Evidence



The Spanish driver stressed that the key now lies in building a strong case with sufficient evidence to justify a reversal.



“Now we are trying to see if we can come up with enough evidence and enough stuff to realise if we can change the outcome of the penalty, because I still firmly believe it was a very poor penalty that I received and a bad judgment, which can happen as long as you have the capacity to revisit it,” he added.



“And if there’s been a misunderstanding or a lack of evidence or a lack of analysis, then there is still time to reanalyse it, to reopen it, and change it.”



FIA’s Next Step



The FIA will first decide if Williams’ petition meets the threshold for a right of review.



If it does, the stewards will reassess the case with the newly submitted materials.



For Sainz and Williams, the matter is about more than just erasing a penalty.



It is about setting clearer guidelines for wheel-to-wheel racing standards going forward.
The post Williams Pushes FIA to Revisit Carlos Sainz Penalty Over Liam Lawson Incident appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk .