F1 Australian Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel fined $7300 for scooter ride

A scooter ride cost Sebastian Vettel over $7000 but the incident has taken a another twist with the German driver claiming he was given permission to do it and two huge details being overlooked.

Aston Martin's German driver Sebastian Vettel

A scooter ride around the Albert Park track has cost Sebastian Vettel almost $7300 but the incident has taken another twist with the German driver claiming he was given the green light to do it.

The four-time world champion was called to face the race stewards for “unauthorised use of a scooter on the track” in a dramatic day for the German star at the Australian Grand Prix.

In his first Grand Prix for the year after missing the first two races due to Covid, Vettel’s Aston Martin broke down late in the opening practice session.

Looking for a way back to pit lane, the German driver jumped on a scooter to get himself back to the garage but was soon investigated for entering the track without permission.

After being handed the fine, Vettel said: “Obviously, we had a problem, and there was a bit of smoke, and I lost power and we had to stop the car on the track.

“And I did the best I could to limit the damage and get it off the track as soon as possible.

“I tried to make sure the car doesn’t get any further damaged. The marshal was very helpful, he had a Leatherman. I asked for an Allen key then we took part of the bodywork off so I could get underneath and cool the car. So it was a bit of a job.

“I asked, ‘Can I get back?’, as soon as I knew the car was safe in terms of not catching fire again.

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Sebastian Vettel’s hot lap on a scooter has cost the four-time world champion $7300. Picture: Supplied

“But anyways, the session was then over, and I asked, ‘Is somebody coming?’ They said, ‘Yeah, yeah as soon as the session is over.’ And then the guy came with a scooter and he said, ‘You can jump on the back.’

“I said, ‘Can I drive it?’ Because I prefer to drive myself. And then he handed me the scooter, so I said, ‘OK,’ and he said, ‘Off you go.’ And I went.“I mean I would like to get the car back and not to have a problem in the first place. I’m not here to drive a scooter.”

After a hearing with stewards on Friday night, Vettel was found to be in “breach of Article 26.7 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations”, which prohibits anyone from being on the track in the five-minute period after the end of a session — except for specifically approved personnel.

It appears that while Vettel understood he had permission to go on track, stewards expected him to take a designated alternative route.

What seems bizarre about the entire incident is that he was reprimanded for driving on the track but there was no mention of him driving with no hands or failing to wear a helmet correctly.

The stewards report said Vettel had taken the scooter back to the pits “without the prior approval to do so” and was fined for his scooter excursion.

“At the end of the session, (Vettel) sought a way to return to his pit. A marshal was at the location with a scooter. (Vettel) asked if he could drive the scooter in order to return to his pit. The marshal assented,” the stewards report said.

Vettel makes his way back to the pits without permission after his car caught fire during the first practice session. Picture: Supplied

“(Vettel) got on the scooter, expecting the marshal to get on behind him. When he didn’t get on, (Vettel) departed alone for the pit, without the prior approval to do so.

“Meanwhile, the marshal was trying to contact Race Control for instructions.

“In driving on the track to his pit, instead of the designated route, (Vettel) breached Article 26.7 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations, which prohibits anyone from being on the track in the five-minute period after the end of a session, with the exception of specifically identified personnel, which makes no provision for drivers to have such access unless specifically authorised.”

Vettel had lifted his helmet and waved to fans as he rode the scooter back to pit lane, but he was unable to return to the track for the second practice session as his team worked to fix the engine problem with his car.

F1 just isn't the same without Seb, is it? 😂

Big smiles and a little show for the crowd as he makes his way back to the pits at the end of the session 🙌#AusGP#F1pic.twitter.com/O2q5b9kUqL

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022

🚩 RED FLAG 🚩

Sebastian Vettel comes to a stop on the back straight 😫#AusGP #F1pic.twitter.com/G0r4ZVK9ey

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022

SOBERING NOD TO UKRAINE ATROCITIES

Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel has shown his support for the people of Ukraine at the Australia Grand Prix as he returned to the grid for the first time this year after recovering from Covid.

The Aston Martin star arrived at a Formula One press conference on Friday wearing blue and yellow - the colours of Ukraine - sweatbands on his wrist.

Vettel also sported blue and yellow coloured stripes on the front of his helmet as his took to the track for practice.

Expressing his horror at the atrocities unfolding in the country after the Russian invasion, Vettel said the sport should do “everything we can to help” people displaced by the war.

F1 announced last month it was launching a Unicef appeal in support of Ukraine, although it was unclear if Vettel wanted more to be done beyond this.

“There is always things we can do. It’s absolutely horrible to see what is going on,” Vettel said.

“It’s a shock, everytime you think it can’t be more of a shock, it’s more of a shock. Innocent people getting killed, women and children getting killed. It’s horrible.

Aston Martin's German driver Sebastian Vettel speaks at a press conference as he wears Ukraine wrist band

“There are a lot of people willing to help, a lot of volunteers in the neighbouring countries, but also other countries in Europe willing to help and willing to give shelter.

“I think we should set up something and collect money. F1 turns around a lot of money, we can’t help people by going faster or slower around a track, but we can help by maybe setting up the way to raise money and I think that’s what we probably should do.

“Other than expressing your support, I think support or solidarity is not just mentioning that you feel for people but also acting and helping.

“When I hear stories first hand of people trying to get out of Ukraine, finding a place, the travel they have, the journey they have ahead of them or had behind them, I am shocked, I can’t picture how this is happening.

“Other than the rest of the world trying to do everything we can to stop it, we should do everything we can to help the people in need.”

Vettel missed the opening two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia after contracting Covid with Aston Martin reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg standing in for him.

The 34-year-old said his health now was “fine …obviously better than weeks ago” but it was the right decision to miss the

“I had races where I was feeling a bit ill and raced but it was not possible (this time), so it was definitely the right decision,” Vettel said.

“It was strange to watch, but on the other hand also interesting to see how it looks from the outside. Nico did really well with zero preparation to jump in and do that kind of job.

“And I was part of all the meetings, briefings, listening to the drivers all the time, so tried to make the most of it. But it was strange.”

Vettel conceded he would lose race rhythm after missing the first two races of the season.

“But for sure I miss the race rhythm. It’s obviously a disadvantage not to have had those two races and race with these cars.”

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes

BLING BAN

Formula One drivers have been reminded that they are not allowed to wear jewellery while racing, prompting Lewis Hamilton to joke Friday he had piercings he can’t take out.

The ruling was included in the event notes for this week’s Australian Grand Prix issued by new FIA race director Niels Wittich, who is in the role at Albert Park following the sacking of Michael Masi.

It is not a new regulation, but reportedly follows some drivers being spotted wearing jewellery while in their cars.

“The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start,” the ruling states.

A number of drivers wear jewellery in the paddock, which is allowed, notably seven-time world champion Hamilton.

“I’ve got several piercings that I really can’t take out, that not a lot of people know of,” the Briton joked when asked about the ruling.

“But that’s been the rule forever so nothing new,” he added. The ban was introduced in 2005 as a safety precaution to reduce the risk drivers face when they need to escape from a car following a crash.

NEW TEAMS TO THE GRID

Top drivers led by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen welcomed the “very exciting” news Friday that Porsche and Audi could be lining up on the Formula One grid in 2026.

Their Volkswagen parent group told AFP on Thursday that they were in the “final phase” of a study to assess the possibility.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton said ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix that he “knew about it a long time ago already”.

“I think it’s great that we’re going to get new manufacturers in the sport, especially as you see there are a lot of teams that have the potential to be tough teams.

“So I think it is going to be great moving forward and I welcome it,” added the Mercedes star.

Porsche chief Oliver Blume said last month that a study of entering F1 was under way, with media reports suggesting “negotiations” with Red Bull, the team of current world champion Verstappen.

The Dutchman was enthusiastic about their potential entry, calling it “very exciting”.

“And it’s very important for Formula One as well. We have 10 great teams, but also to have the really big brands behind them, it’s really nice to see that commitment.

“I’m looking forward to what the future will bring to the teams,” he added, speaking in Melbourne.

Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, who is now racing with Alfa Romeo, called it “great news”.

“It would be nice to see more teams actually in Formula One, there’s only 10,” he said.

“I remember watching Formula One as a kid and the grid was much bigger, which makes it more exciting.”

Originally published as F1 Australian Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel fined $7300 for scooter ride