Ferrari requests review of Canadian GP penalty

FERRARI has asked for a review of the stewards’ decision that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in the Canadian Grand Prix, a team spokesman says.

Vettel finished first in the race in Montreal on June 9 but lost the win after a fivesecond time penalty for going off track and returning in what stewards deemed to be an unsafe fashion.

Mercedes’ Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton was declared the winner instead.

Significant and new evidence that relevant was not available at the time is required for a team to submit a “right of review” under article 14 of the governing FIA’s International Sporting Code.

The spokesman said Ferrari, which last week dropped a planned protest against the penalty, had formally requested the review but gave no further details “due to the sensitivity of the matter”.

Stewards will now have sole discretion to determine whether such a significant and relevant new element existed, with their decision final. If the review is deemed admissible, a secondary hearing will be held. Mercedes has won all seven races so far this season, and the past nine in total, with Britain’s five-times world champion Hamilton now 29 points clear of Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas in the standings.

Vettel, who was furious with a decision that caused an immediate controversy, is 62 points adrift of Hamilton.

Formula One holds its eighth race of the 21-round season in the south of France this weekend at Le Castellet circuit, where the penalty is likely to remain a major talking point.