Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel is set to escape a heavy sanction after apologising to Formula One race director Charlie Whiting and the governing FIA for Sunday’s expletive-laden Mexican Grand Prix rant.
An FIA source told Reuters on Tuesday that the four-times world champion would not be summoned to appear before the governing body’s international tribunal, which hears disciplinary cases not dealt with by race stewards.
The tribunal could have imposed anything up to a race suspension. The source said the FIA would make clear to Vettel, however, that there would be a tough response if there was another such outburst.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had said after the race that he expected some sort of punishment for Vettel.
“In any sport, what you cannot do is give abuse to the referee essentially,” he said. “So, I would be surprised if that went unreprimanded.”
Vettel’s abuse was broadcast to a worldwide television audience on Sunday with the swear words beeped out.
Some of his anger was directed at Whiting after race direction did not immediately order Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to let him past when the Dutch teenager gained an advantage by exceeding the track limits while defending third place.
Vettel was promoted to third after the race, and appeared on the podium, before being demoted back to fifth for an illegal defensive move of his own against Verstappen’s team mate Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian was moved up to third.
FIA president Jean Todt had asked stewards after Sunday’s race for a report into Vettel’s abuse of Whiting, who is also the FIA’s technical head and a highly respected figure in the paddock.
Vettel, who won his titles with Red Bull, has had a difficult year with Ferrari failing to win a race with only two of 21 remaining.
“He’s obviously a bit frustrated with how the season’s gone, he probably thought that maybe they had a chance to fight Mercedes but it hasn’t worked like that,” commented former team mate Ricciardo.
Rant transcript:
Vettel: “Move, move for f*ck sake. He’s a [little f*cker], that’s what he is. I mean, am I the only one or are you not seeing what I’m seeing!? He’s just backing me off into Ricciardo.”
A minute or so later
Vettel: “Honestly, I’m going to hit someone I think I have a puncture, rear left.”
Race engineer Riccardo Adami: “The tyres are fine, tyres are fine.”
After crossing the finish line the tirade continued
Adami: “Charlie said….”
Vettel: “You know what, here’s the message to Charlie: f*ck off! Honestly f*ck off.”
Vettel: “He has to give me the position. End of the story.”
Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene: “Sebastian, calm down, calm down. They are under investigation. I know that it is not fair but calm down. Put your head down and we talk afterwards.”
Vettel: “OK, copy Maurizio.”
Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247
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