Sainz gives his version on controversial VSC at the F1 Mexico GP

With Max Verstappen closing in on Charles Leclerc for P2 and Oscar Piastri doing the same to Oliver Bearman for fourth place, the final few laps at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez looked certain to be thrilling viewing.

However, due to the 31-year-old's retirement on lap 68 when he spun out in the stadium section, a VSC was brought out and neutralised the field, with the race restarting with just one lap remaining.

There was some criticism surrounding the deployment of the VSC, but Sainz believed that there was nothing else that could be done after he manoeuvred his Williams to a gap in the barriers before retiring from the race.

“Did it? I didn't see," was the response from the Spaniard in the Mexico City paddock when told that the VSC deployment robbed the 71-lap race of a grandstand finish.

The late-race retirement for Sainz was not the only issue he faced in Mexico, as the Spaniard was also embroiled in issues during a chaotic Lap 1 after Fernando Alonso tapped the rear of Esteban Ocon’s car, resulting in Sainz moving left to avoid the Haas, only driving into Liam Lawson’s Racing Bull machine.

“From there on, even if we got a five-second penalty at the first pitstop, we were still in the hunt for points, but then we had to do a second pitstop,” he continued after receiving two penalties for speeding in the pit lane.

After the Grand Prix, fans took to social media, frustrated and disappointed that the deployment of the VSC came as the battles for P2 and P4 heated up.

A statement was then released by the FIA, explaining their decision-making for the VSC deployment amid Sainz's retirement, as well as the Lap 1 incident that almost saw a catastrophic incident take place between Lawson and two marshals, with the New Zealander involved in a near-miss.