Carlos Sainz’s milestone qualifying performance for the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix has been undone after the Spaniard was hit with a five-place grid penalty.
The Williams driver made it into Q3 in Baku on Friday, the first time that the Grove-based squad has reached it this season.
Sainz was able to end it in ninth place, signalling marked improvement for the team, which has brought a raft of upgrades for the race.
But a yellow flag infringement was noted, after Lando Norris went off the track during Q3, and Sainz, who was in the vicinity, was investigated for failing to sufficiently slow down.
Sainz was summoned to the stewards to give his interpretation of the situation, and confirmed he was aware of the yellow flags being waved.
“SAI explained that he intended to demonstrate a reduction in speed across the yellow area as a whole. He stated that he did not consider it necessary to reduce speed on the straight and instead intended to demonstrate his response when approaching and exiting Turn 3. He considered this to be a ‘global lift’ covering the consecutive yellow sectors,” the stewards’ document read.
“He further explained that the car which had originally caused the yellow was no longer in the run-off area and that he expected the yellow flags to be withdrawn.
“The stewards did not accept this interpretation. Where consecutive marshalling sectors are subject to yellow flag conditions, a driver must demonstrate a significant reaction to reduce speed in each individual yellow marshalling sector. A reduction in a subsequent sector cannot retrospectively satisfy the requirement applicable to the preceding yellow sector.”
The document concluded: “The stewards therefore determine that SAI failed to sufficiently reduce speed under the single yellow flag in Marshalling Sector 4. The standard penalty under the Penalty Guidelines for this infringement during Qualifying is a drop of five grid positions.”
Sainz will now start 14th, with Franco Colapinto elevated to ninth, and Oliver Bearman taking up the final place in the top 10.
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