The FIA has decided to take no further action against Sebastian Vettel for his clash with Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Vettel and Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene met with FIA president Jean Todt and other senior figures from motorsport’s world governing body to discuss the collision in Baku.
The Ferrari driver was slapped with a 10-second stop/go penalty during the race for swerving into his Mercedes rival behind the Safety Car, but the nature of the incident meant the FIA wanted to review the matter further.
A statement from the FIA claimed that after a detailed look at the incident Vettel took full responsibility for what happened and apologised.
As a result of this, and a commitment from the four-time champion to commit personal time to educating young race drivers, the FIA has elected against taking the matter further.
The FIA also said that Vettel will not be used to endorse the body’s road safety program for 12 months.
A statement from the FIA said: “In light of these developments, FIA president Jean Todt decided that on this occasion the matter should be closed.
“Nevertheless, in noting the severity of the offence and its potential negative consequences, FIA president Jean Todt made it clear that should there be any repetition of such behaviour, the matter would immediately be referred to the FIA International Tribunal for further investigation.”
Vettel issued a statement on his own personal website where he admitted his behaviour was an overreaction.
“During the restart lap, I got surprised by Lewis and ran into the back of his car,” wrote Vettel in a message to fans published on his website.
“With hindsight, I don’t believe he had any bad intentions.
“In the heat of the action I then overreacted, and therefore I want to apologise to Lewis directly, as well as to all the people who were watching the race. I realise that I was not setting a good example.
“I had no intention at any time to put Lewis in danger, but I understand that I caused a dangerous situation.
“Therefore, I would like to apologise to the FIA. I accept and respect the decisions that were taken at today’s meeting in Paris, as well as the penalty imposed by the Stewards in Baku.
“I love this sport and I am determined to represent it in a way that can be an example for future generations.”
Vettel leads Hamilton in the drivers’ championship by 14 points ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Below in the full statement from the FIA:
Following an incident at the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix involving a collision between Car 5 (Sebastian Vettel) and Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton), Sebastian Vettel was today invited to attend a meeting at the FIA’s Paris headquarters. He was accompanied by his Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene. He reviewed the incident together with a panel comprised of FIA Deputy President for Sport Graham Stoker, FIA General Secretary for Sport Peter Bayer, FIA Formula One World Championship Race Director Charlie Whiting and FIA Formula One World Championship Deputy Race Director and FIA Safety Director Laurent Mekies.
During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stewards officiating at the event issued a 10-second stop-and-go penalty to Sebastian Vettel, the most severe penalty immediately applicable before displaying a black flag notice to the driver. Sebastian Vettel also had three penalty points applied to his FIA Superlicence, taking his current total to nine.
However, while respecting the Stewards’ decision, the FIA 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.
Following detailed discussion and further examination of video and data evidence related to the incident, Sebastian Vettel admitted full responsibility.
Sebastian Vettel extended his sincere apologies to the FIA and the wider motor sport family. He additionally committed to devote personal time over the next 12 months to educational activities across a variety of FIA championships and events, including in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, at an FIA Formula 4 Championship to be defined and at the FIA Stewards’ seminar. Due to this incident, President Jean Todt instructed that no road safety activities should be endorsed by Sebastian Vettel until the end of this year.
The FIA notes this commitment, the personal apology made by Sebastian Vettel and his pledge to make that apology public. The FIA also notes that Scuderia Ferrari is aligned with the values and objectives of the FIA.
In light of these developments, FIA President Jean Todt decided that on this occasion the matter should be closed.
Nevertheless, in noting the severity of the offence and its potential negative consequences, FIA President Todt made it clear that should there be any repetition of such behaviour, the matter would immediately be referred to the FIA International Tribunal for further investigation.
Commenting on the outcome of today’s meeting, FIA President Jean Todt said: “Top level sport is an intense environment in which tempers can flare. However, it is the role of top sportsmen to deal with that pressure calmly and to conduct themselves in a manner that not only respects the regulations of the sport but which befits the elevated status they enjoy.
“Sportsmen must be cognisant of the impact their behaviour can have on those who look up to them. They are heroes and role models and to millions of fans worldwide and must conduct themselves accordingly.”
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