Carlos Sainz fined for national anthem infringement at Japan GP
6th April 2025Williams Racing’s Carlos Sainz has been slapped with a €20,000 fine for breaching the regulations concerning the national anthem at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Feature image credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
As per the regulations, all of the drivers are expected to stand at their allocated positions on the grid as a sign of respect to the hosting country’s national anthem.
However, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Sainz reportedly arrived after the national anthem had commenced, breaching Article 19.4 b) of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.
This regulation states that all drivers must be present at the front of the grid for the national anthem, no less than 16 minutes before the scheduled start of the race.
As a result of the late arrival, the stewards gave Sainz a fine of €20,000, of which €10,000 would be suspended for 12 months on the condition of no further repeats.
It was revealed in the report that Sainz had ‘experienced discomfort’ thanks to a ‘stomach issue’ which was verified by Dr Messina of Med-Ex, who confirmed the issue and provided appropriate medication.
In the report, the Stewards said:
“The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), the team representative and Dr Messina of Med-Ex, and reviewed video evidence. The Driver arrived at the National Anthem Position after the Anthem had commenced.
“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.
“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 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.”
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
