Sainz was handed a five-second penalty for causing the Lap 38 contact that cost Piastri the lead at the Hungaroring, but Schumacher believes the punishment failed to reflect the seriousness of the incident. Piastri had made his second pit stop and was attempting to lap Sainz and Fernando Alonso when he approached the battling Spaniards at Turn 2. Piastri was forced briefly onto the grass and lost enough time for teammate Lando Norris to complete his second stop on the following lap and emerge ahead. Schumacher argued the incident was particularly unacceptable because Sainz and Alonso were fighting near the rear of the field while Piastri was leading the race. However, onboard footage and radio released after the race showed Sainz had passed seven trackside panels displaying blue warnings as Piastri closed behind him.