Fresh F1 details from a stewards report has raised eyebrows around Carlos Sainz’s comments about being unaware of Oscar Piastri’s presence before their collision. This comes as Oliver Bearman revealed their were issues with the blue flag system throughout the race.
Aussie driver Piastri had his potential lead at the Hungarian GP cut after a collision with backmarker Sainz. Piastri was looking solid during the race having pitted for a second time while in the lead. Although Piastri’s race was over not long after a tangle with Sainz.
A stewards report has raised eyebrows around Carlos Sainz’s collision with Oscar Piastri (pictured far left) at the Hungary GP. (Images: Getty Images/@Formula1)
Sainz was the backmarker of the race when Piastri attempted to overtake under the blue flags. Backmarkers who have been lapped have to allow the leading drivers to pass through who are in contention for points.
Although the Williams driver made a sweeping move left and collided with Piastri. This sent the Aussie into a rage on the radio. Sainz said over the radio: “I had no idea Piastri was there. No idea.”
Piastri later retired from the race due to a gearbox failure. Piastri was not happy after the race, but Sainz reiterated he didn’t know Piastri was there.
The Spaniard took to social media after the race and claimed there was “an issue with the blue flags’ system” with Piastri “in my blind spot”. Although the stewards have since reported Sainz “had been informed that Car 81 (Piastri) was approaching” ahead of the collision.
Footage also shows blue lights flashing on at least two corners when Piastri was approaching the Williams car. Sainz was hit with a five-second penalty, which was deemed by many as a light sanction for making contact with one of the leaders.
Oscar Piastri (pictured) was unimpressed with Carlos Sainz after the Hungary GP. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Oliver Bearman explains blue flag confusion
However, Sainz did find some support in regards to the blue light confusion. Speaking after the race, Oliver Bearman was also hit with a five-second penalty for a blue flag infringement on Isack Hadjar during the race.
Bearman told the media the blue flags had occurred too early in the race and made it confusing to work out when a driver with more speed was overtaking. “I feel bad about the blue flag penalty with Hadjar because, honestly, it was a bit of a nightmare out there,” he said.
He added: “At the start of the race, I was getting blue flags after six laps and I thought: ‘Wow, that’s strange. We’re not that slow to be lapped in six laps.’
“So, from lap six until lap 70, there was some blue flags every single lap, so it was really tough to know what was real, what was fake, what was for me, what wasn’t. Normally you have your number [but] this time it was just a blue, so nothing malicious. I had to really rely on the team to help me through those blue flags.”
Oscar Piastri fumes over Sainz incident
Regardless, Piastri wasn’t accepting the explanation from Sainz after the race. “For me, there’s no excuse at all,” Piastri said.
“That’s got to be one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen on a race track. I don’t really care what excuse you give.”