In a stunning twist at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz is now at risk of incurring an additional fine after dropping an expletive during an official news conference.

The Williams driver recently faced a hefty €10,000 fine for being late to the national anthem ceremony at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he cited urgent stomach issues as the reason for his tardiness.

During a recent media session, Sainz passionately defended his punctuality, stating, "I pride myself on being punctual, especially during significant events like the national anthem. I accepted responsibility for being late, but a €10,000 fine for just five seconds feels excessive." He added with a chuckle, "Yet, s*** happens!" This comment could land him in hot water with the FIA, which has tightened rules around swearing in the sport.

Last season, Max Verstappen faced similar consequences for his language at a press conference in Singapore, prompting the governing body to impose stricter penalties. Sainz, who serves as a director for the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, voiced his frustration regarding the fines, stating he believes it's unreasonable to penalize drivers for expressing themselves.

Fellow GPDA director George Russell chimed in, humorously remarking, "That's a pretty expensive poop," criticizing the FIA’s strict stance. Russell expressed disappointment over the lack of meaningful dialogue with the FIA following the resignation of Robert Reid, the deputy president of sport, who stepped down in protest of the organization's direction.

"We've been discussing this for months, yet it feels like our voices have gone unheard," Russell emphasized. "We're not looking for conflict; we just want collaboration!"

Sainz concluded by stating, "It's frustrating. I’d like to know where this €10,000 actually goes. If it’s for a good cause, maybe it would be worth it!"