Formula 1’s governing body the FIA and its commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone are not expecting any action against Sebastian Vettel amid the furore over an alleged yellow flag pass in the title deciding Brazilian Grand Prix.
Although Ferrari has confirmed that it is seeking clarification on the issue, the FIA has explained that the confusion arose due to the overlap between the electronic ‘flag’ light indicators and the actual flag points themselves at the Interlagos circuit.
Footage showing Vettel overtaking Jean-Eric Vergne between two yellow flag lights while his onboard yellow light was also illuminated looked damning for the German, but a separate green flag on the inside of the circuit is understood to have been on display, clearing the now three-time world champion of wrong doing.
Speaking to British newspaper The Telegraph, Ecclestone said he is surprised that Ferrari is persisting with the its questioning.
“It’s a shame because everything had gone so well,” he said, referring to the exciting end to the season that saw Vettel scrape home by three points with a sixth place finish in Brazil.
“It was a super race, a super championship. Now everyone is talking about this. The problem is that no one knows what is going on.”
“Personally I think it’s not really like Ferrari to do this. I think they badly wanted to win. But if you want to go back and see what Ferrari have done down the years…
“But nothing will happen. What can they do? Take civil action? Maybe. But the case is flawed before it starts. Nothing is going to happen.”
Had a 20 second post-race penalty been issued to Vettel for overtaking under yellows would have seen the Red Bull driver relegated to eighth in the season’s final race, enough for Ferrari’s lead driver Fernando Alonso to win the World Championship by a single point.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s earlier story featuring footage of the pass in question
