Red Bull's Ricciardo wants 'common sense' on F1 red-flag speed rule

Vettel was handed a three-place drop on the grid at Austin for failing to slow sufficiently when a red flag was shown in first practice to allow gravel to be cleared from the track.

The Ferrari driver was angered by the decision because he had slowed, although he failed to keep below a maximum speed target the FIA had laid out.

Ricciardo fell foul of a similar rule at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, and suggested the procedure is not ideal.

"Like mine, it [Vettel's red flag] wasn't actually for a stranded car on track," said Ricciardo.

"There wasn't really a danger, as it was for the gravel. So a bit of common sense as well should probably prevail.

"But I think out of fairness to me, the stewards were like 'we gave Ricciardo the penalty earlier in the year so it is unfair on him if we don't give you [Vettel] a penalty as you have done pretty much the same thing'.

"In a way I kind of applaud the stewards for doing that. But generally speaking, none of us should be getting penalties for that.

"We shouldn't be speeding but it is not like there is someone upside down on the track. That is a different story."

F1's red-flag rules were changed for 2018 to impose a strict time delta on drivers when sessions are stopped, rather than just being asked to reduce speed.

In Melbourne, Ricciardo failed to remember the new rule when a practice session was stopped and was given a grid drop.

"My case was simply that I forgot the rule," he said.

"I slowed down but I forgot you have to follow the delta, so I slowed down to what I thought was safe but it wasn't under that delta time.

"My intentions were right. It is the rule, it is fair enough - but probably maybe it is just the penalty thing.

"Maybe it should be a reprimand. I don't know."