Why Sainz only got a five-second penalty for Hungarian GP clash with Piastri

The Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix stewards have explained why they were more lenient with Carlos Sainz, issuing only a five-second penalty for his collision with Oscar Piastri.

Piastri, who was leading the race in Budapest during the opening phase, was nearly taken out by Sainz on lap 38 while the Spaniard was being lapped by the McLaren driver. Despite the incident, the Williams driver received only a five-second penalty, with the stewards stating there was a mitigating factor.

On top of the problems with the blue flag system, which meant drivers did not receive clear signals during the race, the stewards stated that Piastri "was not visible" to Sainz in the mirrors immediately before the contact, as the Australian attempted to pass the Williams into Turn 3.

Taking that mitigating factor into account, the stewards decided not to impose the standard 10-second penalty for causing a collision, instead handing Sainz a five-second penalty.

Piastri was able to continue without damage despite the contact, but the incident ultimately contributed to him losing the lead to Lando Norris.

"On Lap 38, at the approach to Turn 3, Car 55 [Sainz] was engaged in a battle with Car 14 [Fernando Alonso]," the statement said. "The driver of Car 55 had been informed by the team that blue flags were being shown due to the approach of Car 81 [Piastri]. As Car 81 attempted to overtake, contact occurred between Cars 55 and 81.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

"The Stewards determined that the driver of Car 55 was wholly responsible for the collision with Car 81. While the standard penalty for causing a collision is a 10-second time penalty, the Stewards identified a mitigating factor.

"At the point of the incident, the positioning of Car 55 relative to the circuit and the other cars meant that Car 81 was not visible to the driver of Car 55 prior to the attempted overtake. Although the driver had been informed that Car 81 was approaching, the Stewards accepted that the limited visibility reduced the degree of culpability.

"Taking this mitigating circumstance into account, the Stewards determined that a five-second time penalty, rather than the standard 10-second penalty, was appropriate."

Piastri retired from the Hungarian GP later due to a mechanical failure. Sainz finished 18th, two laps behind race winner Norris.