Sainz rues 'harsh' penalty after missing out on Las Vegas 'pole'

Carlos Sainz was left ruing his 'unfair' Las Vegas Grand Prix penalty in which he will lose his P2 slot on the grid and drop to 12th.

In FP1, the monocoque, Internal Combustion Engine, Control Electronics and Energy Store were all damaged beyond repair after he hit a loose drain cover on the Strip.

He was then forced to take a new Energy Store, his third of the two permitted, but owing to the unusual circumstances, Ferrari applied for dispensation to not be penalised.

The stewards were left with no choice but to penalise Sainz 10 places as nothing in the rules allowed them to waive the penalty, with Sainz dropping to 12th on the grid having lost pole by 0.044s to team-mate Leclerc.

Sainz rues penalty

"First of all, it was an outstanding job by the whole team," Sainz explained.

"We dominated qualifying together, and after a tough Friday yesterday, to put together the car again and to get a front-row lockout, I think it's incredible.

"I would have loved to have been on pole, because that would mean I would start 11th instead of 12th, but we did the maximum that we could.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm still in a very bad mood, and I am trying not to show it too much, but it is what it is.

"We clearly have the pace this weekend, and I would love to be fighting for the win, but unfortunately, I am going to be in a comeback mood and hopefully I can get to the front at some point and battle with [Leclerc and Verstappen], but it is going to be tricky."