Aston Martin have lodged a protest after the qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix in connection with an accident of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.
The rling body FIA said Aston Martin over F1 rule 39.6 under which “Any driver whose car stops on the track during the qualifying session or the sprint qualifying session shootout will not be permitted to take any further part in that session.”
Sainz lost control in the final turn in Q2 and spun into the barriers on the opposite side of the track. The session was red flagged while Sainz was able start the engine again and managed to return to the pits with little damage, going on to qualify in seventh.
The rule is said to prevent drivers from getting assistance after coming to a standstill but does not clarify whether it also applies when a car can continue on its own.
Aston Martin and Ferrari officials were set to meet race stewards at the Shanghai track.
Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll qualified in third and 11th, respectively.