Whiting insists that five-second penalty for Sainz was right call

Formula 1 racing director Charlie Whiting insists that a five-second penalty was the right decision regarding Carlos Sainz Junior despite the complaints of rivals, as the Spaniard exceeded track limits to gain an advantage over both Haas and Force India.

The Spaniard was forced wide in turn 1 of the American Grand Prix, but rather than giving back his place he pumped the gas, leaving several cars behind him. That's an illegal move and he was penalized for it, but not sufficiently according to Renault's midfield rivals. Sainz took his penalty when he pitted but ultimately didn't lose any positions, finishing sixth after starting in P11.

Although Whiting does concede that Sainz gained an advantage that was greater than the penalty he received, Whiting insists that the penalty was the right call, as the regulations are currently designed that way.

"When you have the sort of situation you had in Abu Dhabi last year, where Nico Hulkenberg overtook, knowing that a five-second penalty would be the likely penalty," Whiting explained to Autosport, "he easily gained more than five seconds so it was worthwhile doing - that's why we've issued a new set of guidelines to the stewards.

"The teams are aware of it, where if we think it's being done deliberately, they will take a wholly different view.

"But on the first corner of the first lap [at Austin] it was a bit of a muddle up there, and it was quite clear he went up the outside of [Charles] Leclerc, and then went around and went very wide.

"It looks as if he followed Sebastian [Vettel] a little bit, and then he came back on and was in front. I think you have to say he gained an advantage by doing that.

"But as far as the penalty is concerned, I think it's the standard penalty."

Whiting often gets criticized for being inconsistent with his judgements, but his explanation seems fair. Don't hate the player, hate the game.