Sainz verdict delivered after practice investigation

Carlos Sainz has been handed a reprimand for failing to follow the FIA Race Director's Event Notes during final practice for the Australian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver is making his return to racing having missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following an appendectomy and finished third fastest in FP3 despite setting his fastest time on a set of medium tyres.

But Sainz was summoned to the stewards ahead of qualifying for failing to follow instructions for practising race starts at the end of the pit lane.

Delivering the verdict, the stewards' report read: "Car 55 performed a practice start in violation of the Race Director’s Event Notes, which only permit a practice start once the car has crossed the Line.

"Car 55 had not crossed the line, and while the Stewards recognised that the situation ahead of him was confusing, consistent with prior decisions, they issue a Reprimand (Driving)."