Dan stands by Vettel

DANIEL Ricciardo says Lewis Hamilton was not punished in 2016 for a very similar incident to the one which cost Sebastian Vettel victory in Monday’s controversial Canadian Grand Prix.

Ferrari is fighting the decision to give the German a fivesecond penalty in Montreal, which handed the win to Hamilton. Vettel was punished after coming back from the grass in front of Hamilton while under pressure in a manoeuvre stewards deemed dangerous.

“I don’t think he could have done things differently, which is why we have decided to appeal,” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said.

Many drivers have backed Vettel, including Renault’s Ricciardo.

“I had an identical situation with Lewis in 2016 in Monte Carlo,” he said. “He had to go through the emergency exit and almost pushed me into the wall on his return.

“With me, it was tighter than now with him. He didn’t get a penalty. That was a good thing. It was hard racing.”

There has been speculation in Formula One as to whether the rules even allow Ferrari to appeal, and the sport is now waiting to see exactly what grounds the Italian team may have on this occasion.