Ferrari have submitted an official request to review the decision to award Carlos Sainz a five-second penalty at last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, which dropped the Spaniard from fourth to 12th place.

Sainz sent Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso spinning with just two laps of the race remaining at what was a chaotic restart following the second of three red flags. With the final lap then taking place behind the Safety Car, it meant Sainz, who initially crossed the line fourth, dropped outside the points.

The Spaniard was furious about the penalty, which he described as “the most unfair penalty I’ve seen in my life”. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said his driver was “devastated” a few days on.

Vasseur, who left Albert Park quickly after the finish on Sunday as he had a plane to catch, instead held an open press conference on Thursday at which he revealed Ferrari had submitted a petition to review the case.

Sainz can consider himself unfortunate. The FIA’s decision to reinstate the race order from the start of the chaotic lap in which he crashed meant he was effectively penalised for an incident that took place in a ‘lap that never was’.

The fact is, though, the Spaniard was entirely to blame for the collision with Alonso. The fact that it cost him so much is unfortunate, and Ferrari are right to point out inconsistencies. But it would be a surprise if the FIA overturned the decision.

Formula One is already in the dock over the length of time it takes to make decisions. To change this result, weeks after the event, for the swift application of a penalty which actually looked fairly nailed-on at the time, would look ridiculous.

The Daily Telegraph in London