Ferrari has asked stewards to review its decision to penalise Sebastian Vettel for moving under braking at the Mexican Grand Prix that saw him lose third position.
The Scuderia says ‘new elements have come to light’ prompting its decision to submit a request for the decision to be investigated.
Ferrari acknowledges the results will not change but believes a precedent should be set.
Vettel initially finished fourth on the road before being promoted to the podium after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was issued a time penalty for cutting the Turn 1 chicane.
However, the Ferrari driver lost third place after stewards imposed a 10 second post-race penalty for “potentially dangerous driving” while defending his position in the final laps.
“Scuderia Ferrari has submitted a request to the Stewards of the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix to review their decision to penalise Sebastian Vettel for breach of Article 27.5 of the 2016 F1 Sporting Regulations as a consequence of his driving behaviour in Turn 4 of lap 70,” read a statement from Ferrari.
“This has been the first application of Article 27.5 of the 2016 F1 Sporting Regulations as interpreted on the basis of the Race Director’s notes on “defensive manoeuvres” and effective from the 2016 US Grand Prix.
“Scuderia Ferrari considers that a number of new elements have come to light after the decision was rendered that make the decision reviewable under Article 14.1 of the International Sporting Code.
“Scuderia Ferrari is aware that championship rankings will not change, regardless of the outcome.
“But in light of its importance as a precedent for the future, and in order to provide clarity in the application of the rules in future events, Scuderia Ferrari believes that the decision should be reconsidered by the Stewards.”
While Vettel was penalised for dangerous driving, the four-time world champion avoided sanctions for an outburst of expletives directed at Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting during the race.
Vettel apologised to Whiting for his actions immediately after the race and subsequently sent letters to the FIA expressing his regret.
Whiting fronted the media for the first time since the incident where he agreed the FIA’s reaction not to offer further punishment was correct.
“It is not the first time bad language has been used, of course,” said Whiting.
“The fact that it was directed at me was unfortunate, and I think there were a number of mitigating circumstances that led up to Sebastian’s obvious frustration.
“But the fact that he sought me out very shortly after the race to apologise for me that was enough, and I am prepared to forget and move on. And that is really what we should do.
“Things happens in the heat of the moment, and I think you’ve seen what the FIA’s position on this is and I personally feel that is enough.”
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