Overview
- FIA stewards ruled Carlos Sainz predominantly at fault for contact with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Turn 15 in Austin that ended Sainz’s race.
- Officials said Sainz’s front axle was not alongside Antonelli’s mirror before the apex, meaning he had not earned space per the Driving Standards Guidelines.
- Because Sainz retired and could not serve a time penalty, the sanction was converted to a five-place grid drop for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Sainz also received two superlicence penalty points, taking his 12‑month tally to four, while Antonelli recovered from a spin to finish 13th.
- The drop looms larger at Mexico’s high‑altitude circuit where overtaking is harder, with the late‑season title fight tightening after Max Verstappen’s strong Austin weekend.