Carlos Sainz learns fate after red flag investigation

Carlos Sainz has learnt his fate after being summoned to the stewards ahead of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix. 

The Williams driver was called to the stewards after an alleged failure to comply with red flag rules in second practice, following an accident for Isack Hadjar at the Nouvelle chicane. 

To the Spaniard's relief, it was decided that no further action was required, due to Sainz having taken "immediate steps" to slow down when the red flag was flown. 

He had overtaken Oliver Bearman when the red flag was flown, but it was deemed as a result of Sainz having been on a push lap as they approached the second corner.

The stewards' report read: "This was an alleged infringement was only reported to the Stewards the next day, after the FP3 session was concluded. 

"The Stewards thereafter heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, telemetry, video, timing, team radio and in-car video evidence and determined that Car 55 overtook Car 43 at Turn 2. 

"As Car 55 was going towards Turn 2, the session was red flagged. Car 55 was very close to Car 43 when that happened (42 metres). Car 55 was travelling at a significant speed, in excess of 250kph. Car 43, on the other hand, was on a slow lap on the left hand side of the track. 

"As soon as the red flag was shown, Car 55 took immediate steps to slow down in a safe manner as required under Article 2.5.4.1 b) of Appendix H to the International Sporting Code. There was a significant speed delta between the two cars and the overtake was an inevitable consequence of that speed delta and the distance between the cars. In the circumstances, we took no further action."