Carlos Sainz broke F1 rule after winning Australian GP as Christian Horner discusses potential Red Bull move

Carlos Sainz broke F1 rule after winning Australian GP as Christian Horner discusses potential Red Bull move

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Carlos Sainz wins Australian Grand Prix

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 24/03/2024

- 14:38

The Spaniard finished ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris Down Under

Carlos Sainz broke a little-known F1 rule after winning the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday morning.

The 29-year-old finished ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris on a day when the likes of Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were all unable to finish the race.


Sainz, after his triumph, celebrated by throwing his gloves into the paddock.

The Spaniard also seemed to brush off te attempts of a race official hoping to direct him towards the weigh-in station.

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz broke a little-known F1 rule after winning the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday

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Per F1 rules, drivers are required to weigh in with their gear on both before and after races to make sure they don't breach the minimum weight threshold of 80kg.

However, while Sainz threw away his gloves, he wasn't punished for his antics.

Martin Brundle noticed the rule breach while speaking on Sky Sports, while lead commentator David Croft said: "I'm not technically sure that is allowed but who cares."

Brundle responded by saying: "You're not really supposed to go near your team unless (sic) somebody slips a spanner in your pocket or something, a bit of extra weight."

Sainz was jubilant after his victory.

His win has given F1 a boost, with the 29-year-old missing the last race in Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis.

Sainz is yet to sign up for a new team next season, with Lewis Hamilton replacing the Spaniard at Ferrari.

But Red Bull chief Christian Horner was impressed by Sainz and has opened the door to potential arrival.

When asked if the team would consider the Ferrari star, Horner responded by saying: “Based on a performance like that, you couldn’t rule any possibility out.

“You’ve had a very fast unemployed driver win today.”

Sainz has admitted he's 'jobless' but also thinks he's now proven a point after reigning supreme in Australia.

“I’m still jobless for next year, so I guess this is good for me," he said.

“But jokes aside, I know that when I’m given a good car I can get it done. I proved it in Singapore, I proved it here.

“When it’s a good car, I’m happy and I’m very happy with the car today.”

Sainz benefitted after Verstappen was forced to withdraw from the race following a brake fire.

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Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz said he was 'really happy' after winning the Australian Grand Prix

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And Sainz has admitted it's a 'pity' that the reigning F1 champion wasn't able to see the event through.

“I felt like I could keep up with him on the first lap and try and take DRS,” he said, per Formula1.com.

"Then he lost car into Turn 3 and there was my chance to get close and attempt an overtake, and as soon as he was behind he started struggling with the brakes and that was it for him.

“It’s a pity because I think we would have had a very good fight for P1 today, but I’m happy to take the win – he’s had plenty of them!

"I’m happy to be back here.”

Christian Horner

Christian Horner has refused to rule out Red Bull signing Carlos Sainz following his triumph at the Australian Grand Prix

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The next race of the season is due to take place in Japan on April 7.

Verstappen won that race easily, with Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing second and third respectively.

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