Williams Fined €5,000 for Unsafe Release After Plastic Sticker Ruins Sainz’s Q3

Overview

• Carlos Sainz picked up a plastic floor sticker leaving the Williams garage in Q3, which wrapped around his rear tyres at Losail.
• He said the plastic damaged bodywork, and the team fitted a temporary covering as a quick repair during qualifying.
• Stewards determined the car had been released in an unsafe condition after reviewing video and team radio evidence.
• The ruling noted Williams had used the same floor sticker since mid‑season without prior peeling, yet the team remained responsible.
• Sainz qualified seventh after matching his Q2 1:20.2 and will line up ahead of Fernando Alonso, who starts eighth.