Carlos Sainz didn’t hold back in his critique of Lewis Hamilton during the second practice session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Thursday, deeming his actions “super dangerous.”
A tense moment unfolded involving Hamilton, Sainz, and Logan Sargeant’s Williams under the bright lights in Jeddah. Sainz wasted no time in expressing his disdain for his F1 counterpart over the team radio.
Approaching Hamilton’s sluggish Mercedes in the first sector, Sainz found himself in a tight spot when Sargeant entered the scene.
To avoid a collision, the American driver had to take evasive action, resorting to mounting the curb. Hamilton, unaware of Sargeant’s presence, explained to his team that he was attempting to make way for Sainz.
Following the incident, stewards took note and announced they would launch an investigation post-session.
Despite Hamilton’s efforts to yield, Sainz relayed to Ferrari that he struggled to find a clear path around the British driver. He asserted that Sargeant’s safety was compromised due to the Mercedes’ positioning.
Sainz voiced his concerns, stating, “What Hamilton did there was super dangerous. Like he was in the middle. I couldn’t get out of the way. Sargeant nearly crashed because of him.”
Hamilton encountered difficulties even before the stewards’ scrutiny, experiencing rear bouncing early in the first practice session.
He promptly alerted his team to rectify the issue. With a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix behind him, the seven-time world champion is aiming for a stronger showing this weekend.
In the previous race, he qualified in ninth place, trailing teammate George Russell by six spots, and managed only a seventh-place finish.
This season marks Hamilton’s final stint with Mercedes, as he has made the decision to join Ferrari in 2025, where he will fill the seat vacated by Sainz.
