The stewards of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix have rejected Ferrari’s request for a review of a penalty imposed on its driver Carlos Sainz during the race in early April, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) announced on Tuesday. .
According to an official document published by the FIA, “there is no significant and relevant new element” allowing the re-examination of the penalty as the Scuderia wanted. “The request is therefore dismissed”.
Earlier in the day, Sainz and representatives of the Scuderia had been heard by the stewards to determine whether or not there was a new notable element that could lead to a reassessment of the sanction.
The 28-year-old Spaniard was sanctioned in Melbourne for crushing his compatriot Fernando Alonso’s Aston-Martin and sending the former world champion spinning. Alonso had however finished third in the race.
The five-second penalty had Sainz slipping back from 4th to 12th, out of the points, as the race was finished under safety car rule. Ferrari had appealed the sanction.
On Tuesday, the commission ruled that Sainz “was entirely responsible for the collision.” The Ferrari driver therefore retains his 12th place, a blow for the prancing horse team which therefore scores no points in Australia since Charles Leclerc had to retire after going off the track.
In a press release issued in the wake of the FIA’s decision, the reigning vice-world champion for constructors admitted to being “disappointed”, believing “to have provided enough significant new elements for the FIA to re-examine the decision”.
“We are, however, respectful of the process and the decision of the FIA,” she added.
