No further penalty for Vettel from FIA over Hamilton Baku incident
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 on Monday 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.
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."
Despite his offer to help educate young race drivers, Todt has removed Vettel from endorsing any road safety activities until the end of the year.
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."
The FIA's statement on Monday night said it had been worried after Baku about the implications Vettel's actions could have on junior categories.
It said it "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".
As well as the apology made to the FIA behind closed doors on Monday, a public apology from Vettel is due to be made as well.
To review the incident the FIA pulled together a panel that included FIA deputy president for sport Graham Stoker, FIA general secretary for sport Peter Bayer, F1 race director Charlie Whiting and deputy race director Laurent Meckies.
Had this panel decided that further action was required, then Todt could have called up the FIA International Tribunal to put charges to Vettel.
With no subsequent action taken, Vettel retains his 14-point lead over Hamilton in the drivers' championship.
Ferrari issued its own statement, which read: "Following the meeting that was held today in Paris between FIA representatives and Scuderia Ferrari driver S Vettel, with the purpose of clarifying positions on the incidents occurred at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari notes the driver's apologies and his personal commitments to help the image of the sport.
"Scuderia Ferrari confirms its support to FIA's initiatives, sharing the governing's body values and objectives."
Both McLaren drivers get Honda F1 upgrade for Austrian Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel apologises for 'dangerous overreaction' in Baku
Schumacher: Mercedes F1 test run will help me be even better in sim
Schumacher: Mercedes F1 test run will help me be even better in sim Schumacher: Mercedes F1 test run will help me be even better in sim
Canadian GP at "no risk" from Quebec wildfires, says F1
Canadian GP at "no risk" from Quebec wildfires, says F1 Canadian GP at "no risk" from Quebec wildfires, says F1
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Hamilton and Russell praise Schumacher role in F1 Spanish GP turnaround
Hamilton and Russell praise Schumacher role in F1 Spanish GP turnaround Hamilton and Russell praise Schumacher role in F1 Spanish GP turnaround
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more The 10 best Formula 1 drivers ever: Hamilton, Schumacher & more
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session
Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying
United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying
Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire
Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023? Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.