Vettel penalized on the starting grid for the Austrian GP

A few hours after the end of qualifying on the circuit of Red Bull Ring (Austria), the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced a penalty of three places for Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) on the starting grid for the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The stewards made this decision following an incident involving the German driver as well as Carlos Sainz Jr. (Renault) during Q2 on Saturday afternoon. Following a timed lap, the Ferrari slowed down at the first corner, while remaining on the usual line.

At the same time, the Renault began an attack lap to aim for entry into Q3 and was forced to abort its attempt. According to the FIA ​​press release, Sebastian Vettel thought that Carlos Sainz Jr (whom he had overtaken during his qualifying lap) had taken the pit lane. The Scuderia Ferrari driver did not see the Spaniard arriving in his mirrors and the team confirmed during the hearing with the authorities that he had not been informed of the arrival of Sainz Jr at high speed.

BREAKING: Sebastian Vettel will serve a three-place grid penalty at Sunday's #AustrianGP

This incident with Carlos Sainz has been reviewed by the Stewards #F1 pic.twitter.com/vOUchcBB68

— Formula 1 (@F1) 30th June 2018

The FIA ​​then points out that Sebastian Vettel “should not have driven so slowly on the racing line, during a deceleration lap.” Finally, the three-place penalty was taken in light of all the sanctions relating to the blocking of another competitor since 2016. " I am sorry for that ", declared the culprit at a press conference.

Sebastian Vettel, initially classified third in qualifying, will start sixth on Sunday at 15:10 p.m. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) goes third, ahead Max Verstappen (Redbull). Romain Grosjean (Haas) will start fifth.