Ferrari's appeal against Carlos Sainz's penalty will take place in April

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, said the Albert Park stewards will meet with Sainz and a Ferrari representative in a virtual hearing after the Italian team lodged an official review of the punishment.

Sainz was sanctioned for a collision with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in the duel for third at the opening bend following a late restart in Melbourne on April 2.

After he was informed of the sanction, an emotional Sainz pleaded with his Ferrari team to instruct the stewards to reconsider their decision.

Sainz took the chequered flag in fourth, but because the race ended behind the safety car, the penalty dropped him to 12th and last.

The Spaniard later described the stewards' verdict as the "biggest Formula One disgrace for many years".