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Penalties hand victory to Vettel

Sebastian Vettel looks set to inherit victory in today's World Series by Renault race at Misano, after both Pastor Maldonado and Ben Hanley, who finished in first and second positions on the road respectively, were hit with post-race dramas

Maldonado's Draco car failed technical inspections and Hanley was retrospectively hit with a twenty-five second penalty for weaving in front of Andy Soucek. Both Draco and Hanley's Cram team boss Marcello Rosei have lodged appeals.

Whatever the results of the hearings it has nevertheless been an outstanding debut performance from young German Vettel, who was making his debut in the series. "I really don't worry about what will happen, it's all out of my hands," he said.

Hanley's season best second position has been put in jeopardy owing to an incident that occurred on Misano's back straight on lap one, when he was judged to have changed his line twice while defending against the attentions of Soucek.

"I think the decision is very harsh," said Hanley. "I changed my line twice but they (the stewards) have called that zig-zagging.

"I didn't stop Soucek from making a passing manoeuvre because he came up to my side anyway. He was not going to pass there because he had to worry about Vettel behind him.

"Normally if you've done something wrong you have a drive-through penalty or your name flashes up on the timing screens to say you are being investigated. It's very strange that we heard nothing at all until after I had been up on the podium and had the press conference. I can't understand why it took so long when the incident occurred on the opening lap."

Maldonado's exclusion has been caused by a non-performance affecting technical error made by the team.

"At the end of the race, the Scrutineers found that Pastor Maldonado's single-seater was missing camber adjustment shims, the presence of which is mandatory on the Formula Renault 3.5 cars," said a statement from the organisers.

The Venezuelan was set to take over the championship lead after dominating this afternoon's race.

 

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