Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz Jr has been given a reprimand for driving in a “potentially dangerous” manner during second practice for the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Spaniard was judged to have driven “unnecessarily slowly” on the back straight approaching Turn 13, thinking the Haas of Kevin Magnussen was on a slow lap.
Magnussen was, in fact, on a timed lap and the resulting speed delta was “in excess of 200km/h”, with the stewards at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve believing it was a potentially dangerous situation.
They opted to hand Sainz a reprimand, which is his first of the current season. If drivers pick up three during a season, they will get a 10-place grid drop.
“The stewards heard from Carlos Sainz, the driver of car No.55, Kevin Magnussen, the driver of car No.20 and the team representatives,” an FIA statement said.
“On the straight approaching Turn 13, the driver of car No.55 slowed very significantly. He alleged he was unable to see car No.20 approaching from the rear.
“The stewards noted that the team radio advised him that car 20 was at “Turn 13” (which was incorrect – it was Turn 12 but Sainz would have realised this) and advised him to watch his mirrors as there were two cars behind.
“Sainz admitted he did not realise he was “out of phase” with Magnussen whom he thought was also on a slow lap, whereas in fact he was on a fast lap.
“The resulting speed delta was in excess of 200 km/h. The stewards found that this was a potentially dangerous situation.”
