Year: 2012

Like everyone else who has an interest in Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone has put in his two bob’s worth on the Sebastian Vettel yellowgate saga, saying “it’s a complete joke.” He expects nothing will come of the controversy and reckons Ferrari should have pulled their heads in.

The FIA is yet to publish an official statement on the Lap 4 incident, when Vettel allegedly overtook Jean-Eric Vergne under yellow flag conditions, but has revealed informally that it believes Vettel has no case to answer.

It’s understood that Ferrari was considering an official protest, but has simply written a letter to the FIA seeking clarification over the issue. Bernie has come in off the long run to sink the boot into Ferrari as well.

“In the rules and regs normally you have to protest. They [Ferrari] missed that time,” Ecclestone explained. “Then there is the fact that a green flag was shown, which nobody seems to dispute. It’s a complete joke. What they are saying in that letter is wrong. I don’t think there needs to be any action taken. It’s completely and utterly wrong.

“Personally I think it’s not really like Ferrari to do this. I think they badly wanted to win. But nothing will happen. What can they do? Take civil action? Maybe. But the case is flawed before it starts. Nothing is going to happen.”

[Source: The Telegraph | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Sebastian Vettel is still number one, according to the FIA, who say the newly crowned world champion has no case to answer in the did he, or did he not, overtake under yellow flag conditions controversy.

The news is being reported by Autosport, which states: “[the FIA] was in no doubt that Vettel’s pass [on Jean-Eric Vergne] was legitimate.”

Over the last 24 hours or so the F1 world has been gripped by this saga; media attention heightened by reports saying Ferrari was investigating the possibility of lodging a formal protest.

According to Autosport the FIA has confirmed the following: “the yellow-flag sector at Interlagos started at the light panel just before Turn 3, at marshal sector 3, and ends about 150m before Turn 4, where a green light panel is displayed.

“However, there is a marshal’s post in between these two panels and a green flag was being waved there on that lap.”

The green flag takes precedence over the light panels, so by that interpretation Vettel’s overtake on Vergne is perfectly legal. Nothing to see here.

Well done Sebastian. Again.

Oh, there’s just one more thing. Despite this apparently clear and concise ruling, Ferrari is said to have written to the FIA seeking a formal clarification. You know, just for future reference and the like.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Ferrari is considering an appeal against Sebastian Vettel’s actions in the Brazilian Grand Prix. If the protest is lodged and upheld, the ramifications could see Vettel stripped of the 2012 F1 world championship in favour Fernando Alonso.

The protest centres around an overtaking move Vettel made on Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne in the early laps of the Brazilian GP. The pass was not shown on live TV as the main feed was showing replays of the start. However, footage from Vettel’s own on-board camera does appear to show he overtook Vergne in a yellow flag zone. You can see the footage after the break, forward to around 9:30 if you want to go straight to the incident in question.

According to the BBC, if Vettel was found guilty by the FIA, a 20 second penalty could be applied to Vettel’s overall race time. That would drop him back to eighth place, but more importantly, Vettel would lose four crucial championship points; enough  to make Fernando Alonso the world champion by a single point.

Interestingly, even if Ferrari doesn’t lodge an appeal, the FIA’s own rules appear to force its hand into investigating the incident now that new information has come to light.

Article 179b of the international sporting code reads: “If, in events forming part of an FIA championship, a new element is discovered, whether or not the stewards of the meeting have already given a ruling, these stewards of the meeting or, failing this, those designated by the FIA must meet… summoning the party or parties concerned to hear any relevant explanations and to judge in the light of the facts and elements brought before them.”

There is a time limit though; any investigation and subsequent decision would have to be handed down by 30 November. So, Vettel may only have a couple of sleepless night, it seems.

While nothing official has been announced by Ferrari, Fernando Alonso did post this via twitter last night (translated from Spanish): “I don’t believe in miracles. I make my miracles out of the correct rules.”

It would be a shame if the championship was to be decided off-track like this. But, this is Formula One, where the action off the circuit is often as heated and cut-throat as it is on-track.

Were Ferrari to protest and have Alonso named as world champion we think it would probably put to rest, once and for all, any rumours of Vettel driving for Ferrari in 2014 or beyond.

[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]