Image by Tee/LAT
Sainz keeps podium finish as FIA takes no action on DRS use
Carlos Sainz has scored his maiden Formula 1 podium finish as the FIA took no action after the Brazilian Grand Prix following its investigation into the Spaniard's DRS use in the closing laps.
Lewis Hamilton originally crossed the line in third place and stood on the podium for the post-race ceremony, but he was under investigation for a collision with Alexander Albon and soon received a five-second time penalty. That promoted Sainz -- who had started last -- up to third, but the McLaren driver had used DRS under yellow flags after Valtteri Bottas retired, with Kimi Raikkonen reporting the incident just before the Safety Car was deployed.
RACER understands the FIA looked into Sainz’s use of DRS but found he slowed in that sector in response to the yellow flags and decided against opening an official investigation.
After his third-place finish was confirmed, Sainz was able to take to the podium with the rest of the McLaren team and celebrate the first top three of his F1 career.
Image by Mauger/LAT
Speaking before confirmation of Hamilton’s penalty, Sainz described his drive from last on the grid as special.
“It’s a special day for me, for the team, because we just did everything that we could do; we did it right, Sainz said. “Everything that was in our hands, we did it very well. It was maximum attack from Lap 1, the moves on (Sergio) Perez, the Alfas, the Haas -- everything was just… I made it stick every time I could. One of those days as a driver where everything happens and clicks. Just very, very happy.
“We were the only car on a one-stop. That made me very vulnerable on the last two Safety Car restarts. I had no (tire) temperatures. I had the medium that doesn’t warm up very well, and Kimi (Raikkonen) and (Pierre) Gasly had on the soft tire -- very fresh softs.
"I knew on the Safety Car restarts, it was all or nothing. And, in the first, I managed to pass (Romain) Grosjean who was in a vulnerable position like me, and then defend that whole stint and the second restart from Kimi (Raikkonen).”
Sainz' podium result along with teammate Lando Norris' points-scoring eighth also confirms McLaren's fourth place finish in the constructors’ championship, ahead of Renault.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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