Sainz penalized five places two points after US clash with Antonelli

Carlos Sainz was handed a five place grid penalty for next weekend's Mexican Grand Prix and two penalty points on his Super Licence after a collision with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the opening stages of Sunday’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. The stewards ruled Sainz predominantly to blame for the clash at Turn 15 that led to his retirement on lap seven and sent Antonelli into a spin.

Sainz, who had started ninth and moved to eighth early in the race, attempted an inside pass on Antonelli at the tight left-hander known as Turn 15. Video and steward reports show the front right of Sainz’s Williams made contact with the rear left of Antonelli’s Mercedes at the apex. The Mercedes spun but was able to continue after a pit stop; Antonelli later finished 13th. Sainz sustained suspension damage and stopped at Turn 17, prompting a virtual safety car.

The stewards said Sainz told them he expected Antonelli to leave space at the apex and that Antonelli turned in earlier than he expected, forcing a lockup. The panel found that at no point prior to the apex was Sainz’s front axle alongside or ahead of Antonelli’s mirror, and therefore...