Ex-McLaren racer doubtful over Ferrari Sainz appeal chances

Former McLaren racer and now Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has cast doubt over whether Ferrari can successfully appeal Carlos Sainz's Australian GP Formula 1 penalty.

Sainz was handed the five-second sanction for clipping Fernando Alonso out at the Lap 57 restart in Melbourne, dropping him from fourth over the line to 12th and last as no green flag racing was possible after the third red flag.

Ferrari requested a right of review, which was granted by the stewards, with the hearing taking place on Tuesday morning via video link.

However, de la Rosa, who also drove for Arrows, Jaguar, Sauber and HRT, is not convinced that the punishment will be expunged from the record books.

De la Rosa's doubt

"I think it's a difficult one because what is the new evidence?," the Spaniard pondered the F1 Nation podcast.

"Really, I mean the tyres were cold, the brakes were cold that it was the first lap braking [zone], all this is well known as when you're driving the car, [you consider] all these things.

"It is true that Australia Turn 1 has always been very marginal at that time of day, and at that time of year, the sun is very low, so you're in a blind spot - but that is part of racing.

"It is the same for everyone so how can you argue against that decision? You can argue that it is a harsh decision, that there are many reasons that contributed to the crash, but at the end of the day, it is racing.

"It was driver error, full-stop.

"I'm not keen on situations being reviewed every now and then, weeks after the race because this is not part and shouldn't be part of the sport.

"It is difficult, but Fernando had to take the corner.

"[He] could have gone onto the grass, but that's not part of racing, you have to [stay] in track limits, so honestly, I think that it was just a harsh decision, but the bottom line is that it won't change anything. That is the reality."