F1 drivers set for 'long' FIA discussion after 'surprising' Carlos Sainz penalty

The Formula 1 drivers are set for a "long" briefing with the FIA on Friday ahead of the Italian Grand Prix to discuss Carlos Sainz's "surprising" Zandvoort penalty, according to Alex Albon. 

Sainz was handed a 10-second time penalty during the Dutch GP for being judged at fault for a collision with Liam Lawson, ruining the Spaniard's race. 

He painted a frustrated figure after the race who did not understand why he was penalised, given Sainz was on the outside of Lawson at the first corner where contact was made. 

Speaking on media day at Monza, Sainz's Williams team-mate, Albon, defended the 31-year-old, insisting the collision should have been deemed as either a racing incident or a penalty for Lawson.

"I was the car behind, so I would say I had the best view of it," Albon told select media at Monza, including RacingNews365. "I think at the time on the radio, after coming out onto the back straight, I kind of said, 'Okay, well, yeah, Liam's at fault there'. 

"He was clearly at fault, from my point of view, from [behind]. I think I got told about Carlos' penalty on the in-lap after the race, and that was also surprising. 

"So I think as a driver, you kind of have your version of the inter-combat rules as well, on top of what the FIA have. 

"And it looked to me like, yeah, at best, a racing incident, and then, if anything, a penalty towards Liam."

Albon defends FIA

Due to the confusion among several drivers regarding Sainz's penalty, Albon expects it to be quickly brought up during Friday's briefing. 

Given the controversy over the punishment to his Williams partner, the Thai-British driver expects it to be a long briefing but has defended the FIA over its openness to discuss issues.

Asked if the penalty will be discussed in Friday's driver briefing with the FIA, Albon replied: "We will definitely discuss it. The FIA, in all honesty, are very open to discussions around these kind of things. 

"I think, that they're very welcoming to feedback around these kind of issues, and they don't hide away from controversial decisions, and we do discuss them at length, generally in driver debriefs, driver meetings. 

"So I will guarantee you it's going to be a long one tomorrow."