Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel will not be punished further for his clash with title rival Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The German swerved into the Mercedes of Hamilton under the safety car in Baku, and received a 10-second stop-go penalty for his actions.
It should have dropped him behind rival Hamilton but the British driver’s headrest came loose, and even with his penalty Vettel finished the race infront of Hamilton.
Vettel and Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene met with key members of motorsport’s governing body, the FIA on Monday to discuss whether or not further punishment for Vettel was necessary.
They ultimately decided against taking any further action, stating Vettel had admitted “full responsibility” and “extended his sincere apologies to the FIA and the wider motorsport family.”
The FIA released the following statement; “In light of these developments, FIA President Jean Todt decided that on this occasion the matter should be closed.”
It is believed Vettel will make a public apology before this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix and any further transgressions will lead to a severe penalty.
Ferrari’s lead driver has nine points on his licence, requiring just three more for a race ban.
The FIA expressed its worry about the effect this incident will have on the young drivers and fans.
It said it “remained deeply concerned by the wider implications of the incident, firstly through the impact, such behaviour may have on fans and young competitors worldwide and secondly due to the damage such behaviour may cause to the FIA’s image and reputation of the sport”.
