Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso incidents lead to F1 rules change

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The FIA have revised the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations after incidents involving Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso earlier in the season.

The two incidents happened at this year’s Chinese Grand Prix, the first occurring in a clash between Alonso and Sainz during the Sprint race.

The Aston Martin driver was the only driver to retire from the Sprint race after picking up a puncture, following contact with Sainz at the Turn 14 hairpin. Alonso later took to Instagram to vent his frustration with the incident.

Now the FIA has made two notable changes to the F1 Sporting Regulations following a meeting with the World Motorsport Council, which impact what happened in the aftermath of Alonso’s crash and a subsequent incident involving Sainz during qualifying.

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FIA makes rule change after Fernando Alonso penalty

Alonso was handed a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision, however, the sanction made no difference to his finishing position because he opted to retire from the race.

Normally, drivers who are penalised for retiring from the race are given grid drops for the next round. This happened to Esteban Ocon after he clashed with Pierre Gasly on the opening lap of the Monaco GP.

But because Alonso’s crash happened during the Sprint race, F1’s rules did not allow the penalty to carry over. At the time the stewards noted a flaw in the regulations, adding that the language in the regulations over whether penalties are carried over was “somewhat unclear” and recommended a change.

A revised clause in Article 54.3 now states: “If any of [above] penalties above are imposed upon a driver, and that driver is unable to serve the penalty due to being unclassified in the sprint session or the race in the case of a) or b) or due to retirement from the sprint session or the race in the case of c) or d), the stewards may impose a grid place penalty on the driver at their next race.”

No outside assistance allowed after Carlos Sainz incident

Another change to the regulations revolves around the rule that states: “Any driver whose car stops on the track during the qualifying session or the sprint qualifying will not be permitted to take any further part in that session.”

After Sainz crashed his Ferrari on track during qualifying for the Chinese GP but continued, Aston Martin lodged a protest stating he should have not been able to continue to participate in the session.

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They were unsuccessful in their protest, but the FIA has now revised the rule: “Any driver whose car stops in any area other than the pit lane during the qualifying session or the sprint qualifying session and receives physical assistance will not be permitted to take any further part in that session.”

Sainz did not receive any outside assistance when he rejoined the track, meaning his actions would still be legal under the revised rule.