Ferrari: FIA rejects appeal for Vettel's penalty

Yesterday, the Ferrari had submitted a request for the review of the penalty imposed on Sebastian Vettel during the Brazilian Grand Prix, appealing for the opportunity to review the decision following the emergence of new elements.

The meeting, attended by Mexican Grand Prix delegates Jock Clear (Ferrari) and Chris Horner (Red Bull), was was held via teleconference today.

“The stewards of the Mexican Grand Prix have called a hearing at 16 pm, Brazilian time, to judge the request of the competitor of car number 45, Scuderia Ferrari, for revere the decision taken in document number 38 (that of Vettel's penalty, ed.) of that event” – reads the statement issued by the FIA ​​-. “The request was made in accordance with Article 14.1 of the FIA ​​International Sporting Code. The hearing was conducted via teleconference. Scuderia Ferrari was represented by Jock Clear. Red Bull Racing was represented by Christian Horner and Jonathan Wheatiey."

According to Ferrari there were two new ones that could reopen the case: the first concerned the fact that Charlie Whiting, or the race director, had the opportunity to communicate to Max Verstappen to hand over the position to Sebastian Vettel following the cutting of chicanes, while the second element were gods GPS data brought by the Italian Scuderia.

“Scuderia Ferrari claimed in its written communication that a 'new element', in accordance with article 14.1, existed” – continues the press release -. “In his verbal communication he also claimed that there were 'two new elements'. Specifically, the Scuderia argued that the race director, pursuant to article 27.4 of the FIA ​​Sporting Code, had the power to direct the driver of car number 33, Max Verstappen, to return the alleged advantage he had gained by leaving the track on the lap before the accident involving car number 5 and car number 3, driven by Daniel Ricciardo. Scuderia Ferrari also claimed that the GPS data it presented was a 'new element'."

LThe decision by the FIA ​​was to reject the request of the Maranello team, asserting that there are no new elements that could reopen the case. According to the Federation, in fact, the fact that Whiting did not exercise the power to indicate to Verstappen to give back the advantage is not relevant for the purposes of penalizing Vettel, while the GPS data do not contradict the fact that the German swerved during the braking.

“In relation to the question of the race director who had the power to instruct the driver of car number 33 to return the alleged advantage, We note firstly that the article in question gives the race director the authority to allow the driver to return the position. This does not imply an obligation to do so. The fact that the race management did not exercise its power is not relevant to the decision taken. In relation to GPS data we note that this data is only available to the teams during the race. They are also available to stewards, in the stewards' room during the race. When asked whether the GPS data in any way contradicted the telemetry and other evidence that the stewards demonstrated showing that the driver of car number 5 had swerved while braking into Turn 4, Clear confirmed that they do not contradict. Article 14,2 of the International Sporting Code gives stewards the opportunity to verify whether a new element exists. Having received all written and verbal communications and having carefully considered them, the stewards have decided that we will not play any new elements” concludes the FIA ​​statement.

Daniel Ricciardo's third place is therefore confirmed, while Sebastian Vettel remains in fifth place.

Gianluca D'Alessandro