Sainz summoned to stewards for bizarre breach after messy Japanese GP

Carlos Sainz has been called before the stewards at the Japanese Grand Prix after a difficult race for the Spaniard at Suzuka.

The Williams driver was twice noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. However, the officials did not investigate those incidents further as he went on to finish P14 - one position higher than he started.

He had initially qualified in P12, but impeded Lews Hamilton into the first corner in qualifying, earning him a three place grid penalty in his first trip before the stewards in Japan.

Now, he must answer for being late to observe the national anthem before the start of the race. That always takes place 14 minutes to the hour a grand prix starts at and is mandatory for all drivers. It constitutes an alleged breach of Article 19.4 b) of the F1 sporting regulations.

He is due before them at 16:30 local time, around an hour after the conclusion of the Japanese Grand Prix.