Max Verstappen demands rule change as Carlos Sainz receives a ‘harsh penalty’ in the Las Vegas GP

The reigning world champion Max Verstappen sided with Carlos Sainz and claimed that the penalty was harsh for the Spaniard.

Max Verstappen demands rule change as Carlos Sainz receives a ‘harsh penalty’ in the Las Vegas GP

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO)

The Qualifying Session culminated with the Ferraris occupying the top two spots, followed by Max Verstappen in third. However, Carlos Sainz would be ousted from the position due to the grid penalty he received after changing the chassis of his car due to the open manhole incident.

Carlos Sainz received a ten-place grid penalty in the main race due to changing his chassis because of the major underbody damage to his car from the manhole on the track of the Las Vegas GP. Although the Spaniard qualified for P2, he would finally start the race from the 12th position due to the penalties.

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Max Verstappen showered his thoughts on this cruel situation of Carlos Sainz and talked about a potential rule change in F1. The Dutchman insisted on changing the rules so that teams would not have the right to vote on dispensation cases of other teams.

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The rules have to be changed, and if you get taken out you can loose parts. So, the rules have to be changed. Teams should not have a right to vote.

The 26-year-old further sided with Sainz and insisted that this penalty was ‘harsh’ for Sainz. Additionally, Verstappen commented that everyone just thought of themselves in the political environment of F1.

It's harsh for Carlos, and in this political environment then everyone thinks of themselves.

Carlos Sainz explained his disbelief over the harsh penalty

The Spaniard driver expressed utter disappointment over the decision held by the FIA Stewards regarding the penalty. He claimed the fault was neither his nor the team’s, and they did not deserve the penalty for something so trivial. Later, the 29-year-old added that he wouldn’t be seen happy over the weekend because of the penalty.

Carlos Sainz disappointed.
Carlos Sainz is disappointed (via WWOS)

Sainz also discussed the multiple points that could be improved within F1 and renounced his disappointment with the decision. The Smooth Operator also explained that there were always people to make the situation worse and finally claimed it was his turn to pay the price for other’s wrong decisions.

Although the penalty that Sainz received was unjust and unfair, the Spaniard is still hopeful of great results over the weekend. Sainz also qualified above Max Verstappen and proved his amazing pace in the Las Vegas GP. The team looks promising to score great points over the weekend and potentially overtake Mercedes in the constructors championship.

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