Max Verstappen called for an amendment to the Formula 1 rules after describing the punishment given Carlos Sainz at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as being “very harsh”.
Sainz finished second in qualifying behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ahead of the inaugural Grand Prix at the Las Vegas Strip circuit.
The Spaniard, however, will be penalized by 10 grid positions after the damage to his vehicle caused when it hit a drain cap on Thursday.
Verstappen, who finished third in the race for Red Bull will be rewarded by the sanctions, but the former world champion has criticised the penalty ahead of F1’s new showcase event at Sin City.
Verstappen, who was seated alongside Ferrari’s drivers at the press conference following the qualifying round, said that the rules must be changed.
It’s exactly the same as if you are taken out of your car and suffer a major accident. It’s possible to lose engine parts, battery, and other things.
This is the first thing that must be changed. These things will be considered, whether you choose to take advantage of a penalty-free option or not.
“I think that teams shouldn’t be allowed to say anything about these things, because they will vote against it.
In this current political climate, every team is going to think about itself and say “no, Carlos has to accept the penalty.”
Sainz drove well during qualifying, and was only 0.044 second away from beating his teammate Leclerc to the top spot on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Sainz said to Sky Sports that he was “sad, angry, and disappointed” about the punishment.
This shows how difficult it can be to understand this sport.
Tomorrow I will be paying one of the worst penalties I’ve ever experienced.
“I am disappointed that the ruling body does not have sufficient power to rule over certain teams or certain situations, such as we are experiencing here. I will be forced to pay a fine that no one would agree with.
The penalty was so outrageous that it forced me to fight on a return from the 12th place. I will do all I can to get back up to the top.
