FIA announce penalty review almost TWO WEEKS after F1 star hit with controversial punishment

carlos sainz, lewis hamilton, williams, ferrari — Photo: © IMAGO

FIA News

FIA announce penalty review almost TWO WEEKS after F1 star hit with controversial punishment

The Dutch GP kept the FIA stewards busy

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Wednesday 10 September 2025 20:57

The FIA have announced a date to conduct a right of review hearing after one F1 star contested a penalty handed to him at the Dutch Grand Prix.

During lap 23 of Max Verstappen's home race, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton crashed out, posting the first DNF of his career in red.

His visit into the barriers on the exit of Turn 3 brought out a safety car and prompted a restart, triggering a tricky moment for the Racing Bull of Liam Lawson and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.

Article continues under video

The F1 rivals came together heading into Turn 1 on lap 26, with Lawson's rear-left wheel making contact with Sainz's front-right.

After an investigation into the incident, Sainz was handed two penalty points and a 10-second penalty, which he reluctantly served during the race, labelling the stewards decision 'ridiculous' over team radio.

Following the race in Zandvoort, Williams announced their intention to launch a protest against the decision, with a date for the review hearing now set for Friday, September 12.

Williams seeking answers after controversial Sainz penalty

Ahead of the following championship round at Monza, a statement from Williams announced: "We can confirm we have submitted a right of review to the FIA relating to Carlos’ penalty in Zandvoort.

"It is important for us to understand how to go racing in future, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome."

However, given that the stewards were already presented with video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence at the time of the incident, the positive outcome that James Vowles' team are hoping for does not look likely.

Haas driver Ollie Bearman was handed a 10-second penalty and two penalty points for a similar move in Monza last weekend, almost cementing the stewards view of such moves.

That being said, September's hearing review for Williams will give the team representative a chance to present new evidence that was not available at the time of the collision, in front of the original stewards and a representative from Racing Bulls as well.

On Friday, the stewards will first assess whether Williams' right of review is valid, and if so, a second hearing will then be set to judge the incident.

A summons from F1's governing body read: "The team representative is required to report to the stewards on Friday 12th September 2025, at 15:30 CEST."

"The hearing will be held virtually via video conference, details of which will be provided by separate communication.

"It should be noted that this hearing will be held in two parts. The first part will be to hear evidence and submissions from the petitioner as to whether there is a 'significant and relevant new element which was unavailable to the party seeking the Review at the time of the Decision concerned’.

"Should the stewards determine, in accordance with Article 14.3 of the FIA International Sporting Code, that such an element exists, a second part of the hearing will be convened at a time to be advised, in all likelihood shortly after the first part of the hearing. Any other 'concerned party' may seek the permission of the stewards to appear."

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