Sainz dares punishment for ‘s*** happens’ ahead of F1 Bahrain GP

Williams Racing’s Carlos Sainz is risking a fine from the FIA for his use of language at the press conference after being asked about his recent fine at the Japan Grand Prix. 

Feature image credit: CC

Last weekend, Sainz was fined €10,000 for being late to the national anthem at the Japanese Grand Prix, but the Spaniard voiced his opinion on the matter and risked another punishment with the FIA. 

When asked by The Race’s Jon Noble about the previous fine, at the press conference ahead of the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, Sainz said, ‘s*** happens.’

It was revealed in the FIA document, post-race of the Japan GP, that Sainz had arrived at the head of the grid for the host country’s national anthem after it commenced, which resulted in a €20,000 fine by the FIA. 

However, it was reported that Sainz had suffered stomach issues, which was a mitigating factor to what would normally be a €60,000 fine. 

Despite the risk of another punishment from the governing body, the Spaniard said: 

“I don’t know if I’m going to get another fine for saying this, but s*** happens”

Embed from Getty Images

FIA misconduct, in relation to swearing, has been a controversial topic recently, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen having to do the FIA-equivalent of community service in Rwanda, for swearing in a press conference. 

More recently, Adrien Fourmaux of the Hyundai World Rally Team was fined for saying ‘f****d’ in a post-stage interview at Rally Sweden, prompting an end-of-stage protest by the crews at the next event, Safari Rally Kenya. 

Sainz has expressed his disappointment at being late to the national anthem and the fine he received. He said: 

“I think I’m the biggest supporter of punctuality and being—in a way—a gentleman, being punctual to things, and especially a national anthem, with all the authorities there. So I was the first one to put my hand up and say, ‘I’m late. I’m sorry for that.’ 

“At the same time, I was five seconds late. And to be five seconds late and have to pay €10,000 or whatever the fine is, for me, it is out of the question that we are having to pay these fines.”

Carlos Sainz fined for national anthem infringement at Japan GP

In addition, aided by his position as a recently appointed director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, Sainz hoped the FIA would inform him where the money goes. 

This is in combination with the GPDA’s stance, which was noted in an open letter to the FIA last year. The union has claimed, last year, they would like the FIA President to provide ‘financial transparency’ after they relayed concerns with the negative impact of financial fines. 

“I mean, €10K is—you guys know what €10K is. And for five seconds, it’s disappointing. I hope, as I’ve always said, I hope someone tells me where this €10K goes. 

“And they say, ‘OK, at least it went to a nice cause,’ and I will be looking forward to seeing where they go.”

Read more Formula 1 here:

• FIA confirm further inspections on McLaren ahead of Bahrain GP
• Six teams to use FP1 rookies at Bahrain GP
• Haas confirm Hirakawa FP1 debut for Bahrain GP
• Latest weather forecast for the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix
• FIA confirms compliance following post-race Japan GP checks
• Who finished where? 2025 Japan GP F1 results

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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.

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.