The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix referees have rejected Ferrari’s request to review the penalty imposed on its driver Carlos Sainz during the race in early April, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Tuesday.
According to an official document published by the FIA, “there is no significant and relevant new element” that would allow the penalty to be reconsidered as desired by the Scuderia. So the request was denied.
Earlier in the day, Sainz and Scuderia’s representatives were heard by the stewards to determine if there was a significant new element that could lead to a reassessment of the penalty.
The 28-year-old Spaniard was penalized in Melbourne for crushing compatriot Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin and dispatching the former world champion. However, Alonso finished third in the race.
The five-second penalty saw Sainz drop from fourth to twelfth, in the points, as the race ended under the safety car ruling. Ferrari appealed the penalty.
On Tuesday, the commission ruled that Sainz “was entirely responsible for the collision”. Thus, the Ferrari driver retained his twelfth place, a blow for the Dancing Horse team which has therefore not scored any points in Australia since Charles Leclerc had to retire after running off the track.
In a press release issued in the aftermath of the FIA’s decision, the defending vice-world manufacturers’ champion team admitted it was “disappointed”, believing it had “provided enough significant new elements for the FIA to reconsider the decision”.
“We do, however, respect the process and the FIA’s decision,” she added.
