Spanish Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has had his punishment wiped following a controversial collision with Liam Lawson at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Sainz and Lawson made contact during lap 27 in Zandvoort, after the Spainard attempted an overtake around the outside and was squeezed wide by the Kiwi driver.
The collision ended both drivers’ hopes of getting points and sparked an angry tirade from Sainz, who blasted Lawson over team radio, saying: "He’s just so stupid. Oh my God! This guy! It’s always the same guy".
Sainz was slapped with a 10-second penalty and two penalty points after the FIA Stewards deemed him at fault for the incident - a decision that he called "unacceptable" after the race.
Sainz also criticised Lawson, saying “It’s not the first time that we see him exposing himself to having an incident with another driver".
Lawson said the clash "sucks for both of us” but felt it had been his corner, as Sainz had not drawn level with him.
Williams Racing successfully argued for a review of the incident for Sainz, presenting new onboard camera footage that led stewards to reclassify the crash as a racing incident.
While the time penalty stands — as it was applied during the race — Sainz's licence point deduction was rescinded.
Williams welcomed the ruling, saying the fresh evidence showed Lawson’s car lost traction before the contact, leaving Sainz with no way to avoid the clash.
"We are grateful to the stewards for reviewing Carlos’ Zandvoort penalty and are pleased they have now decided he was not at fault," the team said in a statement.
Lawson ultimately finished the race in 12th, after the clash denied him a potential 5th place and career-best finish.
Sainz finished one place behind in 13th.
The review process, triggered during last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, is a rarity in Formula 1.
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