Why F1's Sainz was penalized at Las Vegas Grand Prix though he's not at fault

LAS VEGAS — Sometimes life just isn't fair. And neither is racing, it would seem. Following an eventful if short first free practice session in which Ferrari F1 driver Carlos Sainz hit a chunk of metal (and/or concrete that was surrounding the metal) that had become dislodged over a drain on the track surface in Las Vegas, the FIA ruled that Sainz would be required to drop 10 grid spaces at the start of the actual Las Vegas Grand Prix Saturday evening.

While nobody believes the incident was the fault of Ferrari or Sainz, the team and driver will indeed be penalized. Here's why.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, or FIA for short, publishes pretty much all of its rules, regulations and rulings online to the public. For instance, this page on the official FIA site includes links to download all of the communications paperwork that goes back and forth between the teams that are racing and the racing stewards that are applying the rules and regulations. One of those links, published at 43 minutes after midnight, indicates that the stewards sent this note to the Ferrari team:

«During the first practice session, Car 55 was damaged due to a contact with a faulty drain. It appears that components which are restricted by the Formula One Sporting Regulations have to be replaced. This could potentially lead to a breach of Article 28.2 the Formula One Sporting Regulations.»

Notice that the notification includes an admission that the damage was «due to contact with a faulty drain» but still goes on to say replacement of restricted components «could potentially lead to a breach» of the regulations. Ferrari responded «requesting a derogation of the Sporting Regulations» — in plain terms, Ferrari asked for an exemption from the rule — but was denied.

A document published almost exactly an hour after the FIA initially contacted Ferrari requesting confirmation that it had found it necessary to replace restricted components said the following:

«Having received a report from the FIA Technical Delegate concerning Car 55 (Document 16) stating that the Survival Cell, Internal Combustion Engine, Energy Store and Control Electronics were damaged beyond repair following an impact