Aston Martin’s protest against the qualifying results at the F1 Chinese Grand Prix has been dismissed. 

The Silverstone-based team lodged a protest after Carlos Sainz crashed during Q2 before continuing in the session after it was red-flagged.

Aston Martin argued that Article 39.6 of the 2024 F1 sporting regulations was breached.

The relevant rule states: “Any driver whose car stops on the track during the qualifying session…will not be permitted to take any further part in that session.”

But the stewards ultimately dismissed the protest, meaning the original qualifying result stands. 

Sainz had spun off into the barriers at the final corner and stopped on track, resulting in the red flag being deployed.

The Ferrari driver then got going again and was able to return to the pits under his own steam – albeit minus a front wing.

Sainz went on to qualify seventh, one place behind Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll qualified 11th in Shanghai but would have progressed into Q3 had Sainz not been able to continue.

Fernando Alonso claimed third on the grid behind the Red Bull pair of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.