Stewards give verdict on Sainz's close call with Hamilton in Qatar

Ferrari has been fined by the FIA after Carlos Sainz's pit exit was deemed unsafe. Lewis Hamilton was close to Sainz, and now Ferrari has been penalised for their misjudgement.

Hamilton had to swerve and brake to avoid hitting Sainz's Ferrari after the Spaniard was sent out of the garage by his team. The FIA stewards ruled that this was preventable by the Scuderia, and they are therefore guilty of the unsafe release. Lewis Hamilton will be taking Carlos Sainz's seat at Ferrari next season as the Spaniard moves to Williams.

The standard sanction for this offence is applied: Ferrari must pay a €5,000 fine to the governing body.