Carlos Sainz fined for national anthem delay despite illness ahead of Japanese GP
Carlos Sainz was fined for arriving late to the national anthem ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix after visiting doctors for a stomach issue
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images
Carlos Sainz has been fined €20,000, with €10,000 of that suspended, by the FIA stewards for being late for the national anthem ahead of Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix.
The Williams driver was late to the Japanese national anthem on the grid due to a stomach upset and was visiting a doctor at the track ahead of the race.
According to the FIA, Sainz was "not in place for the national anthem at the specified time of 1344hrs" before the Suzuka race, breaching Article 19.4 b) of the regulations.
The driver has been given a €20,000 fine, with €10,000 suspended for a 12-month period.
Sainz received the fine despite being examined by Dr. Messina of Med-Ex, who verified his stomach issues prior to the race, adding that they administered medication.
The mitigating circumstances meant that the usual penalty of €60,000 was reduced.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Clive Rose / Getty Images
"The driver arrived at the national anthem position after the anthem had commenced," the stewards noted in their explanation.
"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.
"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."
Sainz, who started 15th after a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, finished the Japanese GP in 14th place for Williams.
Last weekend in MotoGP, Marc Marquez was shown talking to his Ducati mechanics during the United States national anthem at the Americas GP, but wasn’t penalised given it is not part of the MotoGP regulations.
Photos from Japanese GP - Race
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Japanese Grand Prix - Sunday
Share Or Save This Story
Fernando Alonso takes delivery of $12million hypercar with matching baby seat
Rob Smedley issues warning over potential Oscar Piastri Red Bull move
Silverstone Run Fest returns with half marathon, 10k and 5k events
Carlos Sainz isn’t “going to criticise it anymore” – but still says 2026 F1 rules are “not good enough"
Carlos Sainz: Miami-spec Williams is the F1 car we should’ve had from opening race
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
Williams F1 confirms “sizeable” upgrade package planned for Canadian GP
Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”
Why it will 'take time' for Williams to cut weight off its heavy 2026 F1 car
"It's a business" – Lando Norris explains why drivers don't have more say in F1's rules
Why WEC is in a great place heading into the Le Mans 24 Hours
As Marquez sinks and Martin surges, Bezzecchi knows exactly who to beat for the MotoGP title
Francesco Bagnaia: "Admirable" Jorge Martin is repeating 2024 title-winning strategy
How F1's planned 60-40 power split for 2027 will affect each manufacturer
"It's only going to get better" - How Audi is responding to rocky start to F1 2026
Inside the brain chemistry of F1 high performance
Are we at a turning point for Verstappen – and F1?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments