Carlos Sainz fined for swearing at Formula One presser

Formula One driver Carlos Sainz could face a further fine after he swore on Thursday while defending lateness that cost him 10,000 euros (Sh1.43 million) in Japan last weekend.

The Spaniard was fined initially 20,000 euros, with half suspended, after what he described as a "stomach issue" delayed him getting to the national anthem in time before Sunday's race at Suzuka.

"I don’t know if I’m going to get another fine for saying this, but s*** (sic) happens. It’s the way it is. It’s the way it goes sometimes," he said in a press conference organised by the governing FIA at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

FIA confirmed that the Williams driver's case was being assessed and could be referred to the stewards for consideration on Friday.

Formula One has cracked down on bad language in press conferences under the leadership of Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen had to do "work of public interest" in Rwanda as his punishment for swearing at a Singapore Grand Prix press conference last September.

Formula One moves to Bahrain this weekend as the season progresses to its fourth race of the season.

The Australian, Chinese, and Japanese Grand Prix have already taken place this season.

Williams driver Sainz finished 13th in the last race in China and is fifteenth overall in the F1 standings with just one point.

In comparison, standings leader Lando Norris has 62 points.