Sainz "nearly started vomiting" during Australian GP

Carlos Sainz has explained the reasoning behind his radio messages to his team, when he was heard saying that he was feeling nauseous. The Spaniard suffered from a water pump issue throughout the first phase of the race, as it was squirting over his face.

Sainz claims he drank too much water too quickly, which didn't sit well in his stomach as he moved around due to the g-forces. The 23-year-old finished the race in tenth place, keeping his record of scoring points in Melbourne - but he says it was a very uncomfortable Grand Prix.

"We had a problem with the water pump and during the first 10 or 15 laps it was squirting water on my face, so I was drinking too much water," Sainz said after the race.

"When the safety car came out I had a lot of water in my stomach and was moving from side to side and I was feeling it a lot in the corners and I wasn't feeling well. I managed to survive as best I could and I reached the finish," he added.

"[It was] very uncomfortable. With the g-forces we have this year, having the stomach full of water, moving from side to side, I don't know if it was a stomach cramp or what, but I wasn't comfortable."

Renault secured a double points finish as Sainz's teammate Nico Hulkenberg crossed the line in seventh place. With just one race down, Renault lies fifth in the constructors' standings after tallying up seven points at Albert Park.

Fergal Walsh