Breaking news
Formula 1 United States GP
Wolff: Stewards had no choice but to penalise Vettel
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes the United States Grand Prix stewards had no choice but to give Sebastian Vettel a grid penalty for Sunday’s Formula 1 race.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: Oct 21, 2018, 8:23 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Ferrari driver Vettel should be lining up alongside title rival Lewis Hamilton at Austin but will instead start fifth after picking up a three-place grid penalty for a red-flag infringement in practice.
Vettel received some sympathy from fellow drivers for the “harsh” penalty, but while Hamilton’s team boss Wolff claimed he would prefer to see the protagonists go wheel-to-wheel into the first corner he believes it was right to punish Vettel.
“The stewards have a really tough job because you have rules and you need to be consistent in the rulemaking,” said Wolff.
“The rule says you need to reduce speed, do not be above the delta time. If you fail to do so, you’re getting a penalty.
“I don’t think the stewards have any choice in their decision-making.
“From a racing point of view of course you’d like to have the two championship contenders going wheel-to-wheel into the first corner.
“From a racing standpoint this is what I’d like to see. But it’s very easy to hit out. If you are the police, there are regulations, and you need to act upon them.”
Vettel’s penalty matches those earned already this season by the likes of Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon for the same offence.
Wolff’s other driver Valtteri Bottas avoided a penalty for a minor infringement in qualifying, when he and Ocon were found to have driven too slowly on their respective in-laps after the final session had ended.
It means polesitter Hamilton, who can claim a fifth title on Sunday if he outscores Vettel by eight points, maintains a three-car buffer between himself and Vettel.
Vettel will need to pass Ricciardo’s Red Bull, Bottas and the other Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen to stay in mathematical title contention should Hamilton take victory.
Wolff said Mercedes may yet implement team orders to seal the championship and he is “still wrestling” with the decision.
“The objective for Valtteri is to really go for it at the beginning,” said Wolff. “He hasn’t got a lot to lose.
“If at the end we find ourselves in a situation where we again need to evaluate the points we will do that.
“I know from the points we are looking solid but everything can happen in this sport and Ferrari has come back strong, it’s what we have expected.
“That’s why I’d like to keep all options open for tomorrow.”
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+, leads Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bottas escapes punishment for Q3 infringement
Next article Ricciardo warned in advance about kerb Verstappen hit
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Sebastian Vettel
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
More from
Ferrari
George Russell predicts key Ferrari "advantage" at F1 Mexican GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
12 h
George Russell predicts key Ferrari "advantage" at F1 Mexican GP
The mistakes that cost Lewis Hamilton a podium at F1’s US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
The mistakes that cost Lewis Hamilton a podium at F1’s US GP
Latest news
F1 Mexico GP: Charles Leclerc beats Kimi Antonelli to top FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
F1 Mexico GP: Charles Leclerc beats Kimi Antonelli to top FP1
What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
What Fernando Alonso is getting wrong about F1 driving standards
F1 Mexico GP: Follow FP1 with live timing
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
F1 Mexico GP: Follow FP1 with live timing
Sergio Perez to skip F1 Mexico GP fan forum due to illness
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
Sergio Perez to skip F1 Mexico GP fan forum due to illness
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe