Carlos Sainz will face a five-place grid penalty at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix after being deemed responsible for a collision with Kimi Antonelli during the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. The incident, which took place late in the race, saw both drivers involved in a high-stakes battle for position that ultimately ended in damage to their cars.
Sainz attempted an overtake on Antonelli at Turn 15 on Lap 7, but the two cars made contact, causing Antonelli to spin off the track. He eventually rejoined in 13th place. Shortly after, Sainz also had to retire from the race, leaving Antonelli as the only driver to continue.
Following a post-race investigation, race stewards determined that Sainz was at fault for the incident. The report noted that while Sainz claimed Antonelli should have anticipated the overtake and provided more space, the stewards found that Sainz had not earned the right to be given space at the apex of the corner. As a result, Sainz was handed a five-place grid penalty for the Mexico City GP and two penalty points on his license.
I don’t think he was going to make the corner anyway, and I tried to avoid hitting the apex just to give him a bit more space, but I ended up getting taken out. It’s a shame, but we move forward. – CARLOS SAINZ
In a statement, the stewards outlined their reasoning: “Car 55 (Sainz) attempted an inside overtake on Car 12 (Antonelli) at Turn 15, but a collision occurred at the apex. At no point prior to the apex was Sainz alongside Antonelli’s car, meaning he did not have the right to expect space.”
The penalty means that Sainz will start the race five positions further back than his qualifying result, a blow to his hopes of gaining crucial points in the championship standings.
Reflecting on the incident, Sainz said, “It looks a lot worse from the outside than it felt from the inside,” adding that the outcome of his race was “a shame.” Antonelli, for his part, acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the collision, stating, “I don’t think he was going to make the corner anyway, and I tried to avoid hitting the apex just to give him a bit more space, but I ended up getting taken out. It’s a shame, but we move forward.”
The penalty will take effect at the Mexico City Grand Prix, which will take place from October 24-26, 2025. Both Sainz and Antonelli are expected to recover from the setback and continue their efforts in the tight championship race.
Race Highlights
This highlight video of the 2025 United States Grand Prix captures the most thrilling moments from the race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Key scenes include dramatic overtakes, intense wheel-to-wheel battles, strategic pit stops, and a pivotal collision early in the race. Max Verstappen’s dominant performance and victory are central, as he navigates through race incidents and tactical challenges to secure the win. It’s a fast-paced recap of the high-stakes action that defined the weekend.
