Williams Appeal Carlos Sainz Penalty After Dutch GP Clash with Lawson

Posted : 05 September 2025

Williams have launched a bid to overturn the penalty imposed on Carlos Sainz following his collision with Liam Lawson at the Dutch Grand Prix, arguing that the decision was unfair and based on incomplete evidence.

Williams Challenge FIA Decision Over Sainz Penalty

Williams confirmed on Thursday that they have submitted a request for a right of review to Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, in relation to Carlos Sainz’s penalty at Zandvoort. The Spaniard was deemed responsible for colliding with Racing Bull driver Liam Lawson during an overtaking attempt at the first corner after a safety car restart.

Stewards handed Sainz a 10-second time penalty and two points on his super licence, a ruling he immediately labelled “a complete joke.” Williams said their challenge was aimed not only at overturning the sanction but also at gaining clarity on how such incidents should be judged in the future.

Sainz: “It Was a Poor Judgment”

Sainz, who finished 13th in the race while Lawson placed 12th, believes the stewards erred in their assessment. He revealed that after a 15-minute discussion with officials post-race, he sensed they recognized flaws in their decision.

“I think once they reviewed all the evidence, they realised the ruling wasn’t the best one,” Sainz explained. “I still firmly believe it was a poor penalty and a bad judgment. If there was a misunderstanding or lack of analysis, it should be re-examined and corrected.”

The former Ferrari driver added that even after calming down, he remained convinced the sanction was unjustified. Lawson, however, took a different view, insisting Sainz had failed to position his car properly during the move and that the penalty was justified.

Norris Moves Past Zandvoort Heartbreak

Elsewhere, McLaren’s Lando Norris is focused on bouncing back at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix after mechanical failure denied him a podium finish in Zandvoort. Chasing teammate Oscar Piastri in the closing stages, Norris was forced to retire, handing the Australian a 34-point advantage in the drivers’ championship.

Norris admitted the setback was frustrating but said he was able to move on quickly as it had not been caused by driver error. “If I lose the championship by those points, I’ll still hold my head high and come back stronger next year,” he said.

Piastri and Verstappen Ready for Monza Test

Championship leader Piastri is refusing to relax despite his growing advantage, stressing that his approach remains unchanged. “It’s far too early to think about settling for positions that aren’t first,” he said.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, meanwhile, admitted Red Bull may face challenges at Monza due to the track’s layout. “This circuit hasn’t historically suited us, but we’ll see how competitive we are after setup,” Verstappen said. He acknowledged McLaren’s superior form but believes the battle behind them remains tight.

Williams Appeal Carlos Sainz Penalty After Dutch GP Clash with Lawson

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