Sainz cleared to race in the Russian Grand Prix

In the aftermath of a his high speed crash during the final free practice session at Sochi Autodrom and several hours spent in hospital on Saturday, Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz will be allowed to race in the Russian Grand Prix.

After the Spanish rookie was cleared to race by stewards, the FIA released the following statement a couple of hours before the race: "In accordance with normal procedures, Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz was this morning examined by the FIA medical delegate and chief medical officer at the Sochi circuit medical centre. Following this examination the driver has been declared fit to race in today's Russian Grand Prix."

Stewards also gave Sainz permission to race despite not setting a qualifying time, and Toro Rosso have confirmed he will participate. With his rebuilt car featuring a new gearbox, he is expected to start from the pit lane.

Toro Rosso announced: "Following this morning’s FIA note to the Media in which Carlos Sainz was declared fit to race, Scuderia Toro Rosso is happy to confirm that Carlos will take part in today’s 2015 Russian Grand Prix here in Sochi."

Upon his release from hospital the 21-year-old, who lost control of his Toro Rosso car under braking at more than 300 kph and then skewed into the wall at Turn 13, told Spanish TV in a video message that he felt fine and wanted to race.

“As you can see I’m fine,” he said. “It was nothing in the end. It was just a scare. A big scare, but just a scare… I want you to know I was conscious all the time."

"I was trying to talk to the team on the radio from underneath the barriers, but they couldn’t hear me so I started to worry because I knew people would start thinking it was something more serious than it actually was," explained Sainz.