Carlos Sainz was the only driver not to finish the US Grand Prix. He collided with Antonelli in the sixth round
The sports commissioners punished Sainz with a penalty in the form of a drop of five places at the start of the next race (GP of Mexico) and two penalty points.
“Car No. 55 (Sainz) attempted to pass on the inside of Car No. 12 (Antonelli) at Turn 15 and the two cars collided at the apex,” the stewards said. “The driver of car #55 stated that he expected the driver of car #12 to give him space at the apex, but car #12 turned earlier and car #55 locked the brakes when it was clear that a collision was unavoidable.”
“The driver of car #55 further argued that the driver of car #12 should have anticipated an overtaking attempt and left room to avoid contact. However, at no time before the apex was the front axle of car #55 level with or in front of the mirror of car #12. Therefore, according to the Driving Standards Guidelines, car #55 was not entitled to leave room at the apex.”
“The Stewards have therefore decided that the driver of car #55 is at fault for the collision, and is therefore given the corresponding penalty. As the penalized driver did not finish the race, he is given a grid penalty corresponding to a time penalty of 10 seconds.”
