Sainz responds to Gasly ban demand as FIA dish out penalty

Carlos Sainz has suggested Pierre Gasly was "a bit excited" when calling for the Ferrari driver to be banned following Canadian Grand Prix qualifying.

Spaniard Sainz impeded Alpine driver Gasly as the Frenchman approached the final corner of his final Q1 attempt, leaving him stranded in the elimination zone.

The Ferrari driver was able to complete his subsequent lap and reach Q3, whilst Gasly was unable to begin a new lap and will line up 16th.

Gasly, who was twice penalised at the Spanish Grand Prix for impeding in qualifying, ranted over team radio after the incident and said: "He should be banned for such a thing! I'm coming at 300kph!"

Speaking to Viaplay and told of Gasly's demand, Sainz replied: "He is probably a bit excited.

"I got impeded seven times and I am not asking for anyone to get banned.

"I will analyse the incident and see but we were very tight with the flag. The chequered flag was about to fall and we had to get a lap in.

"It was one of those situations where it was every man for himself. I got impeded in the same chicane one time, but I am not here shouting."

Sainz punished

Sainz did not escape the wrath of the FIA stewards, however, and has been handed a three-place grid penalty.

This drops him to 11th on the grid, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

The stewards' report read: "The driver of Car 55 [Sainz] stated that he was surprised that the driver of Car 22 [Tsunoda] overtook im into Turn 13 and as a result he accelerated late to start his fast lap.

"The driver of Car 10 [Gasly] stated that the driver of Car 55 could have and should have “gone earlier”.

"Telemetry showed a significant speed differential between Cars 55 and 10. Although the overtaking move by Car 22 took the driver of Car 55 by surprise, it is our determination that the driver of Car 55 was predominantly to blame and unnecessarily impeded Car 10."