Sainz maintains Australian GP penalty 'is too disproportionate' after Ferrari's appeal dismissed by FIA

After Ferrari's appeal over Carlos Sainz's late-race Australian Grand Prix penalty was dismissed on Tuesday, the Spanish driver took to social media to voice his disappointment – adding that he is "100% focused" on the next race in Azerbaijan.

Sainz clashed with compatriot Fernando Alonso in a late restart at Albert Park, costing the Ferrari driver a five-second penalty that dropped him from P4 to P12 and out of the points. The Spaniard cut a frustrated figure in the post-race interview and Ferrari then appealed the decision.

After a hearing on Tuesday morning, the FIA decided to uphold Sainz's penalty.

READ MORE: Ferrari's appeal over Carlos Sainz's Australian Grand Prix penalty dismissed

Following the decision, the driver then released the following statement on Twitter. It began: "Very disappointed that the FIA did not grant us a right to review.

"Two weeks later, I still think the penalty is too disproportionate and I believe it should have at least been reviewed on the basis of the evidence and reasoning we have presented. We have to continue working together to improve certain things for the future.

"The consistency and decision making process has been a hot topic for many seasons now and we need to be clearer for the sake of our sport. What happened in Australia is now in the past and I am 100% focused on the next race in Baku."

Ferrari enter Baku, where the first Sprint of the season is set to take place ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, in fourth place with 26 points in the constructors' championship.