Sainz reprimanded for 200kph near-miss with Magnussen

Carlos Sainz Jnr has been given a formal reprimand for causing a potentially dangerous incident by driving too slowly.

The stewards rules Sainz has slowed excessively on the approach to the turn 13 chicane at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve while Kevin Magnussen was approaching him on a flying lap. A 200kph speed difference between the pair was registered as the Haas passed the Toro Rosso.

Sainz had been given incorrect information by his team about Magnussen’s position on the track but the stewards ruled he should have realised the car was approaching him.

“On the straight approaching turn 13, the driver of car 55 [Sainz] slowed very significantly,” the stewards explained. “He alleged he was unable to see car 20 [Magnussen] approaching from the rear.”

“The stewards noted that the team radio advised him that car 20 was at “T13″ (which was incorrect – it was turn 12 but Sainz would have realised this) and advised him to watch his mirrors as there were two cars behind.”

“Sainz admitted he did not realise he was ‘out of phase’ with Magnussen whom he thought was also on a slow lap, whereas in fact he was on a fast lap.”

“The resulting speed delta was in excess of 200 kph. The stewards found that this was a potentially dangerous situation.”

Sainz’s reprimand is his first of the season. He also has six penalty points on his superlicence, half the amount needed to incur a one-race ban, which will remain the case until at least the end of July.

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