Carlos Sainz reprimanded for Guanyu Zhou block

Sainz, Ferrari, Australia, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Australian Grand Prix

Sainz reprimanded for Zhou block

Sainz went on to top the session

Ewan Gale

Friday 8 April 2022 08:19 Updated: 08:24

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Carlos Sainz has been reprimanded for impeding Guanyu Zhou in first practice for the Australian Grand Prix.

Alfa Romeo driver Zhou came across Sainz's Ferrari as the Spaniard took to the circuit for his first lap of the reprofiled Albert Park circuit, being hampered on his flying lap.

Sainz went on to top the session but was called to the stewards for his offence and after an investigation, a report read: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 [Sainz], the driver of Car 24 [Zhou] and team representatives and examined video evidence.

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"Car 55 was on his first lap of the session, having been delayed starting the session. Car 24 was on a push lap.

"SAI admitted that because of his issues getting onto the track that he was distracted and still getting adapted to the track. Additionally, there was a problem with his radio volume, which was also noted by the Stewards in their review, that prevented him from hearing calls from his team about ZHO’s approach.

"SAI took evasive action as soon as he saw ZHO, but it was too late to avoid impeding him as SAI himself acknowledged."

Stroll escapes punishment for Magnussen incident

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll was also summoned to the stewards having been alleged to have impeded Kevin Magnussen's Haas.

The stewards, however, took no action, explaining: "MAG was on a second consecutive push lap. STR was on a cool-down lap.

"STR was told by his team that MAG was in phase with him and not on a push lap because they had not recognized his double push lap program at that early point on the lap.

"STR did not attempt to stay out of MAG’s way, as he could not determine that he was actually on a push lap from the short period of time he was visible in his mirrors.

"He, therefore, relied on his team’s radio calls. The stewards recognize the difficulty the teams have in recognizing “non-standard” programs such as this in practice and choose to take no further action."