F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result

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Chinese Grand Prix

F1 team lodge FIA PROTEST over Chinese Grand Prix qualifying result

Aston Martin will be heard by the stewards on Saturday

Chris Deeley Editor

Experienced sports writer covering F1 and other motorsports since 2023

Saturday 20 April 2024 16:19

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Aston Martin lodged a protest against the results of qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, that was heard on Saturday.

The protest was on Carlos Sainz's crash in Q2, which saw the session red flagged. The Spaniard lost the rear end of his car at the final corner, sending him flying across the track and into the wall, leaving him stranded for some time before he got his car on the move again.

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Sainz limped around to the pits for a new front wing and a checkup on the overall health of his car and, thanks to the delay caused by the red flag, was able to get up and running and even put his car into Q3.

Aston Martin invoked Article 39.6 of the sporting regulations, which reads: "Any driver whose car stops on the track during the qualifying session or the sprint qualifying session will not be permitted to take any further part in that session."

Carlos Sainz lost his front wing in the crash

Ferrari worked hard to get Sainz back on track

How to interpret Article 39.6

Lance Stroll was arguably the driver most adversely affected by Sainz's continued running, being squeezed out of Q3 by one spot – the one which the Ferrari driver claimed.

The decision was confirmed later in the day, with Aston Martin's protest being thrown out as well as losing €2,000 to the FIA in fees for them to hear the protest.

The key point was over how long Sainz had stopped for and past incidents were referred to that had passed without protest. The FIA have also previously requested the teams could agree on a time limit for a stopped car - one which had not found a resolution.

Aston Martin's other driver, Fernando Alonso, had a rather more positive qualifying session, and will start as 'best of the rest' behind the two Red Bulls in third place.