F1 penalty rules mean drivers are not allowed to race - Vettel
Sebastian Vettel feels Formula 1 drivers are not allowed to race each other due to the number of incident investigations and penalties handed out by officials

The Ferrari driver picked up a three-place grid penalty last weekend in Austria for impeding Carlos Sainz Jr in qualifying, even though the incident had no bearing on the Renault driver's result in the session.
Vettel believes the level of scrutiny on incidents between drivers is "unnecessary".
"I've said I'm not a fan of these penalties, I've said as well in the past it's our own fault as drivers because we sit there on Friday afternoon [in the drivers' briefing] complaining about the decisions and consistency," Vettel said ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.
"Motorsport is not black and white so not every decision can be the same, and I don't see the necessity to decide every time, but that's what the sport has become.
"Every incident needs to be looked at, and so-called 'racing incidents' are not allowed to happen anymore.
"So we end up with a massive rulebook which could have the header 'We are not allowed to race' because that's sometimes how it feels."

Vettel said it's inevitable someone else will be affected by the current approach to stewarding later in the season.
"In that situation [in Austria] no-one was hurt, Carlos said it was no problem and he completely understood, so he was very chilled, and it still ended up with a penalty," he added.
"For me, it sucked on the day, and it will probably suck for someone else at some point in the season, but I just think all these things are unnecessary.
"It's not that you lose your mind or do something crazy because you intend to, but because you try to push the limits and sometimes you might do a mistake.
"There's a trend everywhere else that things are being investigated, and I don't like that word."

Previous article
McLaren admits its 2018 Formula 1 car has less downforce than 2017
Next article
Mercedes F1 teams get tweaked fuel pump design after Hamilton failure

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Sebastian Vettel |
Author | Glenn Freeman |
F1 penalty rules mean drivers are not allowed to race - Vettel
Trending
Aston Martin is back to F1
Aston Martin AMR21 Unveiling
Sebastian Vettel explains why Aston Martin
The defining traits that set F1’s best apart
What makes the very best drivers in Formula 1 stand out among what is already a highly elite bunch? ANDREW BENSON takes a closer look at those with the special blend of skill, judgment, feel and attitude that sets only a select few apart from the rest.
How an unlikely F1 outsider gained acceptance
Channel 4's decision to pick Steve Jones as presenter of its Formula 1 coverage in 2016 raised eyebrows, and his presenting style grated with many fans at first. But, says BEN EDWARDS, Jones has developed into a presenter ripe for modern F1's direction
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a points-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The driver problems facing Mercedes in 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021