China qualifying

Due to Sainz accident: Aston Martin lodges protest!

Aston Martin had lodged a protest against the result of the qualifying session in China. The reason? Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz should not have been allowed to continue after his accident, and the rankings were not available until five and a half hours after the end of the time chase.

Melbourne winner Sainz made a mistake in the last corner of the second qualifying section, spun on the start-finish straight, hit the car slightly and caused a red flag. He initially stood on the grass with the somewhat demolished Ferrari, but then drove off without further assistance and into the pits for repairs. However, the Spaniard was lucky that his car could be repaired.

"It was a simple mistake," said Sainz, explaining his accident. "I drove a bit too hard over the inside kerb, which took me slightly off line. I touched the gravel at the exit and spun."

"But at the last moment, before I touched the wall, I was able to turn the steering wheel a bit and crash at a better angle," he explained. "That probably saved my day."

Why was Sainz allowed to continue?
Aston Martin then lodged a protest against the result of the qualifying session due to Sainz's lapse, but this was rejected. The issue was compliance with Article 39.6 of the Sporting Regulations. This states that any driver whose car stops on the track during qualifying or sprint qualifying may no longer take part in that session. The stewards rejected the protest on the grounds that there had often been situations where a driver had stopped on the track for a longer period of time but was then able to continue driving.

While Sainz then finished seventh, Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin only managed eleventh.