The Hungarian Grand Prix stewards opted for a five‑second penalty for Carlos Sainz following a lap 38 collision with Oscar Piastri, choosing a lighter sanction than the usual ten seconds for causing contact.
Lap 38 Showdown Between Sainz and Piastri
While Piastri was steering the field past the front of the parade, Sainz — who was being lapped — was involved in a contested turn at the exit of Turn 3. The contact forced Piastri uphill, but he remained in the race for the time being.
Stewards’ Mitigating Justification
Stewards review highlighted that Sainz had been informed of blue flag status as Piastri approached, yet the layout of the circuit and the positions of the surrounding cars meant the Australian was not visible in Sainz’s rear‑view mirrors just before the overtake attempt. This limited view, combined with the complexities of the blue‑flag system that evening, was weighed as a mitigating factor by the adjudication panel.
Ruling and Its Consequences
Given the circumstances, the panel decided a five‑second time penalty was appropriate rather than the standard ten. The penalty affected Sainz’s final turnaround, ending 18th and two laps behind Lando Norris, who was crowned the race winner.
Ultimately, Oscar Piastri suffered a late mechanical retirement from the event, while Luca Stroll also continued without significant damage from the earlier contact.
Stewards’ decision underscores the importance of visibility and communication within the blue‑flag protocol when a lead driver is being lapped.
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