Bizarre plastic incident causes Qatar red flag

Carlos Sainz will be investigated following qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix after he dragged plastic onto the track that had been left on his rear tyres at the start of Q3.

The strange incident triggered a red flag at the Lusail International Circuit, with the stewards quickly noting the Williams driver for leaving the pit lane in an unsafe condition.

Plastic appeared to be wrapped around his tyres as he pulled out onto the track.

"It's like as if I have plastic on my tyres," Sainz told his team over radio.

"Yes, there's a sticker from the floor," came the reply, to which he said: "I cannot drive, what the ****?"

The Spanish driver qualified seventh in the final segment of the grid-setting session.

The four-time grand prix winner was quicker than Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly and former team-mate Charles Leclerc, who suffered a big spin just before the interruption.