Vettel facing race ban over clash with Lewis
SEBASTIAN VETTEL is under investigation for driving into Lewis Hamilton in last Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The German now faces the possibility of having his race result expunged from the record books, losing him the 12 points he gained by finishing fourth and cutting his championship lead to just two points. He could alternatively be banned from the next race in Austria. However, the FIA’s exact course of action remains undetermined, with president Jean Todt due to canvass the thoughts of senior figures, including race director Charlie Whiting, in the next few days before deciding how far to escalate the situation. Vettel will be hoping that Todt resists the most punitive option and instead pursues an elegant compromise — investigation leading to a statement of contrition, a public apology and a voluntary commitment to support a FIA campaign, probably on road safety. Given Todt’s track record of avoiding unnecessary confrontation, it would be a surprise if he were to seek a further punishment that would impact on the championship. But if he were minded to do so, Todt would refer the stewards’ decision — they handed the Ferrari driver a 10 second stop-go penalty — to the FIA Court of Appeal, in front of top international lawyers. The stewards who sat in judgment while the chaotic race in Baku unfolded, meted out the second highest sanction available, just falling short of black-flagging the errant driver. The FIA issued a statement on Monday, saying they would ‘evaluate whether further action is necessary,’ adding: ‘A (further) statement will be made available before the Austrian Grand Prix, July 7-9.’ Vettel was warned about his conduct following the Mexico Grand Prix last season, when he repeatedly swore at Whiting over the radio. But, because Sunday’s incident was different in nature, his previous indiscretion technically has no bearing on his fate now.