Ferrari’s appeal was rejected by Signs Australia

Stewards of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix have rejected Ferrari’s request to review the 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 new significant and relevant element” that would allow the Scuderia to revise the penalty as it wishes. Hence the request is rejected.

Earlier in the day, Sainz and Scuderia representatives were asked by stewards to determine whether or not there was a significant new element that would lead to a reassessment of the clearance.

The 28-year-old Spaniard was sanctioned in Melbourne for crushing compatriot Fernando Alonso’s Aston-Martin and sending the former world champion into a spin. However Alonso finished third in the race.

A five-second penalty dropped Sainz from 4th to 12th as the race ended under the safety car rule. Ferrari appealed against the sanction.

On Tuesday, the commission ruled that it was “solely responsible for the conflict”. So the Ferrari driver retained his 12th place, a blow to the Prancing Horse team, which scored no points in Australia as Charles Leclerc had to retire after going off the track.

In a press release issued following the FIA’s decision, the defending sub-world champion team for constructors admitted it was “disappointed” and believed it had “presented enough significant new elements for the FIA ​​to reconsider the decision”. .

“However, we respect the FIA’s process and decision,” he added.