Sebastian Vettel’s United States weekend hasn’t gotten off to the perfect start, as he has been summoned to the stewards for not slowing down during a red flag period in Free practice here in Austin.
The red flag had been brought about as marshals were clearing out the gravel that had been brought onto the track by Charles Leclerc going off track during FP1.
The FIA has now gone onto confirm that Vettel has been summoned for breaching Article 31.6 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.
“Car five [Vettel] failing to slow sufficiently during a red flag period in practice one at 10:40” the FIA statement said.
If found guilty, Vettel could face at least a 3 grid penalty, as has been the case during similar incidents this year(Daniel Ricciardo in Australia and Esteban Ocon in Japan).
If Vettel does indeed face a grid penalty, his championship hopes would receive a serious dent and with the kind of pace Hamilton has shown in practice today, a 5th title would almost be certain at the end of the United States Grand Prix.
Sure, make it even easier for Hamilton, why don’t you. https://t.co/MRABfLRCkT
— Pablo Elizalde (@EliGP) October 19, 2018
Big news from the #USGP…
Sebastian Vettel has been summoned to see stewards over an alleged red-flag offence during first practice.
If found guilty, he risks a costly grid penalty!https://t.co/WTL1pfH81T #SkyF1 pic.twitter.com/azH9MseQxv
— Sky Sports F1 🏎 (@SkySportsF1) October 19, 2018
Vettel summoned to the stewards over allegedly failing to slow sufficiently for the red flag in first practice. If found guilty, precedent suggests that could be a three-place grid penalty
— Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) October 19, 2018
Rain pouring down at Austin – particularly for Vettel, who’s about to be slapped with a grid penalty… #F1 #USGP
— Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) October 19, 2018
Hamilton now looks almost certain to clinch his 5th world title before leaving the United States of America
