Arrivabene slams Vettel penalty as "excessive and unfair"

Vettel was dropped from third place to fifth a few hours following the race after the FIA ruled that he had moved under braking in defending a place from Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

The stewards’ decision to punish Vettel promoted Ricciardo to third, with Max Verstappen fourth, and left Arrivabene deeply upset that Ferrari had lost its first podium since the Italian Grand Prix.

“We deserved 100 percent the podium,” said Arrivabene. “The whole team showed great character, and the drivers did a great job.

“Unfortunately, the result has been taken away by bureaucracy, and by a decision which I consider excessive and unfair in some ways.”

Red Bull happy

While Arrivabene was unhappy about what happened, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said he had no doubts that he believed the FIA had made the right call in punishing Vettel.

“There has been so much debate about movement on the brakes since Japan,” explained Horner. “A clear directive came out last weekend, and a clear movement was made on the brakes [by Vettel].

“Had that been prior to that ruling, it would possibly have been OK. But the rules are clearly what the rules are.

“Sebastian has ended up with a 10-second penalty that has now elevated both of our drivers to third and fourth.

“So we have had the slightly unusual scenario where we have had Max finish third on the road, make it as far as the green room, for Sebastian to go on the podium and take the plaudits, and for Daniel to be taking the trophy home. 

“I am glad to see the stewards made the right decision regarding the Vettel incident.”