- New FIA rules mean Formula 1 drivers can be hit hard in the wallet for swearing
- Sainz excused his lateness for a press conference by saying: ‘s*** happens’
Carlos Sainz is set to escape a fine despite swearing in a press conference ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Spaniard used the bad language as he jokingly excused his late arrival for the pre-race playing of the national anthem a week earlier in Japan by saying: ‘S*** happens.’ It was a reference to being delayed in the toilet.
Sainz, 30, could have been hit with a £35,000 fine for a first swearing offence under severe new rules brought in by the governing FIA.
For that to have happened the Williams driver would have needed to be referred to the stewards by the media delegate.
Instead, Sainz was spoken to and the matter it has been decided not to proceed with the matter officially. An FIA spokesman said: ‘Carlos was very apologetic and admitted that the language he used was not right. He said he would make amends. He has not been referred to the stewards.’
Sainz had already been fined £17,000, half of which was suspended, for missing the start of the formalities in Suzuka.
Carlos Sainz will not be fined £35,000 by the FIA despite swearing in a press conference
He excused his lateness for a press conference before the Japan GP by saying: ‘s*** happens’
Sainz has managed one point in three races since his switch from Ferrari to Williams
Speaking on Thursday the Williams driver said: ‘I’m the biggest supporter of punctuality and being, in a way, a gentleman, especially for a national anthem with all the authorities there.
‘I was the first one to say, “I’m late. I’m sorry for that.”’
He added, laughing: ‘I don’t know if I’m going to get another fine for saying this, but s*** happens. It’s the way it is.’
