Sakhir (Bahrain) (AFP)
German Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), who qualified in 18th place, was penalized for not respecting a yellow flag in qualifying and will start in 20th and last place in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, organizers said.
While a double yellow flag, synonymous with danger, was deployed after a spin by Russian driver Nikita Mazepin (Haas) at the first turn, Vettel did not slow down as required by regulations, which is why he was penalized with five places by the GP stewards.
"Vettel did not give up his qualifying round" at the end of Q1, they said in an FIA report, specifying that on the contrary Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), George Russell (Williams) and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull ) had followed the rule.
Explanations from the 33-year-old driver, who saw the smoke but that it was impossible to know if it was a simple wheel lock or a stopped car, were not convincing.
The former quadruple world champion with Red Bull (2010-2013) and Ferrari driver (2014-2020) has just changed teams and is playing his first Grand Prix with Aston Martin.
The first GP of the year will start at 6:00 p.m. local (5:00 p.m. French, 3:00 p.m. GMT) on Sunday, with Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in pole position.
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