Vitantonio Liuzzi and Narain Karthikeyan will not be allowed to race in the Australian Grand Prix after the FIA refused a request from HRT to let them race.
Neither driver managed to get within 107 per cent of Sebastian Vettel's fastest time from Q1, which meant they did not officially qualify. However, HRT lodged a request with the FIA to be allowed to take part because of "exceptional circumstances." Following deliberation by the stewards on Saturday night, the FIA decided not to allow the cars in.
HRT has had a difficult weekend, with Liuzzi's car only being readied for an installation lap on Friday and Karthikeyan only getting out in the closing stages of third practice.
In Q1, the 107% time was 1:31.266, with Liuzzi managing just a 1:32.978 lap and Karthikeyan setting a 1:34.293 best.