11/04/2025 04:25
George Russell has demanded increased collaboration between F1 and
the FIA after Carlos Sainz was fined for a "pretty expensive poo."
Williams driver Sainz was late to the national anthem at the
Japanese Grand Prix after seeking medical treatment for an upset
stomach from an FIA doctor and going to the toilet. He claimed he
was just "five seconds" late to the anthem, but was fined €20,000
by the FIA, albeit half of which is suspended for a 12-month period
if he does not commit the same offence. Sainz was particularly
critical of the FIA for the decision in the Bahrain press
conference, but then swore on purpose, saying "shit happens",
running the risk of a further penalty after Max Verstappen and
Charles Leclerc were both penalised for swearing in the session in
2024 after new guidelines from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Speaking about the situation, GPDA director Russell felt things had
got out of hand. "I said it was a pretty expensive poo, but look
we've been talking about this on and off for six months now,"
Russell told media including RacingNews365 after being informed
that Sainz had deliberately sworn during the official FIA press
conference. "In all honesty, I don't even want to give it any more
air-time from my own personal perspective because we've said
everything we've had to say over these months. "Unfortunately, it
has had little or no impact and I know all of the drivers have 100%
trust and faith in Stefano and F1 and we know that they work
together with the teams. "Isn't it in all of our interests to make
something cover all of this and just see some stability and
collaboration moving forward? "We just want collaboration, it
doesn't make any sense to be fighting on these topics." Article
continues below. Russell defends busy Sainz Russell also defended
Sainz, and explained the busy period of time drivers face between
arriving on the grid after their reconnaissance laps to forming up
for the formation lap. "I have got to be honest, I totally
appreciate that we have a duty to be there for the national
anthem," Russell added. "But it is not as straightforward as people
may think for us to be there on time, we are often running for the
toilet, and sometimes, toilets are not available between the time
you jump out of the car, go to the anthem and then get stopped by
people on the grid for an interview. "So it is not like we've got
one sole job and that is it. We're trying to take a moment,
breathe, and being there at that minute is sometimes not
straightforward. "So I appreciate it from everyone's perspective,
because it is a very important moment of the race, but from a
driver's perspective, there are some genuine logistical issues,
like sometimes literally waiting to get into a bathroom cubicle."
