FIA confirms Carlos Sainz’s penalty after Verstappen clash sparks investigation

Carlos Sainz cleared by FIA over Verstappen incident at 2026 Spanish GP

The FIA has confirmed no disciplinary action will be taken against Carlos Sainz following the high-speed collision with Max Verstappen at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix.

What happened in Spain?

On 18 May 2026, Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen came together on Lap 12 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The contact sent Sainz into the gravel and forced an early pit stop. Race control opened an investigation into the incident after stewards initially deemed it a racing incident.

Why the FIA stood by Sainz

On 17 July 2026, the FIA issued a statement confirming Carlos Sainz would face no penalty. Officials reviewed onboard and external footage and concluded the move by Verstappen did not meet the threshold for punishment under sporting regulations. The decision ends speculation over a potential grid penalty for Sainz ahead of the next race.

What comes next for Carlos Sainz?

Carlos Sainz returns to action at the 2026 British Grand Prix on 3 August. His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc will also line up on the grid as the team looks to bounce back from a difficult start to the season. Sainz currently sits seventh in the drivers’ standings with 62 points.