LONDON — Formula 1’s governing body the FIA believes world champion Sebastian Vettel committed no offence during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Report by BBC Sport
Ferrari have written to the FIA asking for official clarification of whether the German’s overtake of Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne was legitimate.
The FIA has made it clear it believes the pass was legal, but Ferrari have not yet received any official reply.
Any penalty for the pass could have resulted in Vettel losing the title.
If the overtaking manoeuvre had been declared illegal, Vettel could have been given a penalty that would make Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso world champion.
However, the FIA believes that Vettel did nothing wrong and the 25-year-old’s third successive world title is set to stand.
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
The situation was complicated because Vettel’s dashboard display and trackside warning lights and flags appear to have contradicted each other.
Vettel, the youngest ever three-time champion, pulled off the pass on lap four of the race before he reached a green flashing light indicating that the yellow caution zone — in which overtaking is not allowed — had ended. And his dashboard display showed the yellow-flag warning sign throughout.
However, on-board videos of the incident appeared to show a marshal waving a green flag on the inside of the track.