D-day for Sainz approaches: what happens at the FIA this morning?

What happened again in Melbourne?

There was considerable chaos at the final restart of the Australian Grand Prix: Logan Sargeant tapped Nyck de Vries into the gravel, Pierre Gasly eliminated his teammate Esteban Ocon and Sainz tapped Fernando Alonso around the track. Only Sainz received a penalty, to the displeasure of his team Ferrari. It did not understand why one collision did attract a five-second penalty and the rest did not.

Surely the final result of the race is final once the chequered flag has fallen?

In principle, yes. However, teams do have the option to challenge the result. They can do so to the 'Right to Review', part of the FIA's International Sporting Code. Rule 14.1.1 of this document states that a protest can be initiated with new information.

Sainz has filed a 'Right to Review'. What does that mean?

The FIA is assessing in Paris whether the new information provided by Ferrari is important and relevant, and the stewards should take a fresh look at the matter.

Will we know Tuesday whether Sainz is still fourth or remains punished?

The FIA may decide that the stewards should consider a protest based on the new evidence. In that case, a date will be set for a hearing, at which Ferrari can have its say again. This meeting is not on Tuesday. So if the 'Right to Review' is granted, Australia's result is not yet final. If the FIA does not grant a 'Right to Review', Sainz's appeal options are gone. Then the penalty will remain and Sainz will be 12th.

What are the chances of the 'Right to Review' being awarded?

We do not know exactly what Ferrari's new evidence means. That makes it impossible to make a judgment beforehand. Moreover, the FIA remains inscrutable at times. It could go either way with the international motorsport federation, so who knows!