Monte Carlo, Monaco — Carlos SainzPlayer·Carlos Sainz voiced strong disapproval of Nico HülkenbergPlayer·Nico Hülkenberg's driving following a pivotal incident at the Monaco Grand Prix that forced the WilliamsTeam·Williams driver out of contention. The collision, which occurred during a late-race restart, saw Sainz's hopes for a third consecutive points finish vanish on the iconic Circuit de MonacoVenue·Circuit de Monaco.
The incident unfolded on lap 71 of 78. Sainz, positioned in 10th place and strategically supported by his WilliamsTeam·Williams teammate Alex AlbonPlayer·Alex Albon, was navigating the tight Loews hairpin when Hülkenberg, driving for Audi Revolut F1 TeamTeam·Audi Revolut F1 Team, attempted an overtake on Esteban OconPlayer·Esteban Ocon. Hülkenberg's maneuver resulted in contact with Sainz's car, initially spinning the Spaniard. While Sainz attempted to recover, he was subsequently struck by Franco ColapintoPlayer·Franco Colapinto of AlpineTeam·Alpine, definitively ending his race.
Sainz did not mince words when reflecting on the events. "Our pace was solid, we had a chance for points, but at the restart some people decided to take stupid risks and that ended my race," Sainz explained. He further elaborated on the nature of the incident, stating, "In Turn 6, where we have passed hundreds of times, the column always tightens and the dreamed attack sometimes goes wrong, and now I was its victim. So we threw away the efforts of the whole team, as well as 2 points, and that is unpleasant."
Sainz's frustration was palpable as he questioned Hülkenberg's judgment. "It's impressive how a driver with so much experience on a track like this, like Hülkenberg, still makes such mistakes," Carlos SainzPlayer·Carlos Sainz added sarcastically. "This is like a textbook Monaco mistake."
Nico HülkenbergPlayer·Nico Hülkenberg, who received a 10-second penalty for causing the collision, maintained that the contact was unavoidable. He explained that during his attack on Ocon, he turned the steering wheel fully to the left, but with Sainz's presence alongside, the impact between the two became "inevitable." The penalty ultimately deprived Hülkenberg of any points he might have secured.
For Carlos SainzPlayer·Carlos Sainz, who joined WilliamsTeam·Williams in 2025 and achieved two podiums that year, the 2026 season has presented challenges. He currently sits 13th in the drivers' standings with 6 points, and the incident in Monaco represents a missed opportunity for WilliamsTeam·Williams to bolster their points tally amidst a difficult season for their FW48 car. Hülkenberg, returning to Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 with Audi Revolut F1 TeamTeam·Audi Revolut F1 Team in 2026 after stints with HaasTeam·Haas and SauberTeam·Sauber, remains without points in the drivers' standings, positioned 18th.
Carlos Sainz (Williams) leads Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) during the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. Photo: Eibner/IMAGO
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