(Motorsport-Total.com) – In the first free practice for the Belgian Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz caused a bizarre scene. Both drove closely together at slow speed from the exit of the Savelot curve to the entrance of the Bus-Stop chicane, and the championship leader promptly called the Williams driver an idiot.
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Antonelli was on a fast lap in FP1. He encountered Sainz in the Stavelot curve, who lifted off the throttle at the exit of this section. A maneuver that, according to his own statement, irritated the championship leader:
“He lifted off at the exit of a fast corner,” Antonelli explained after the session. “You are in seventh gear there, and I had to abort [my lap], and that was very risky.”
Consequently, the comment from the angry Antonelli on the radio was: “Sainz, what an idiot.”
Sainz’s radio message was also heard in the TV broadcast: “I have no idea what Antonelli did to me there,” said the Williams driver. “He threw his car into me [and] I have no idea why.”
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After the session, Sainz spoke a bit more concretely and emphasized that he does not believe he blocked Antonelli. He thinks that due to active aerodynamics and the lack of downforce, it might be more difficult for the following driver (in this case Antonelli) to turn into the corner in such a situation.
“Maybe he thought I could have gotten out of his way better,” said Sainz. “But I don’t think he should call me an idiot on the radio. I believe swearing or insulting a competitor is forbidden. So I think [Antonelli] should calm down a bit.”
After the session, Antonelli explained: “What I said in the heat of the moment is probably not ideal, but [Sainz’s actions] were very dangerous.”
No penalties or warnings were issued due to this situation. Instead, the Williams driver was warned because of a bizarre scene at the pit lane entrance after his team informed him too late that he should stay out for another lap.
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