SEBASTIAN VETTEL WILL start from the back of the grid at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after not having enough fuel at the end of qualifying.
The Formula One championship leader qualified third at the Yas Marina Circuit before stopping at the end of his in-lap.
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Under F1 rules, drivers must return to the pits so a one-litre fuel sample can be taken from their cars.
Stewards accepted Red Bull’s reasons for Vettel’s failure to return to the pits, but a later check found he was unable to provide the required one-litre sample.
A statement from the FIA read: “The stewards heard from the driver and team representatives and studied telemetry evidence that showed the reason why the car was stopped.
“The stewards accepted the explanation and considered the incident as being a case of force majeure.
“However a report was received from the technical delegate that showed during post-qualifying scrutineering an insufficient quantity of fuel for sampling purposes.”
It led to Vettel being disqualified from qualifying – which Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) topped ahead of Mark Webber.
While the German will start from the back of the grid, his nearest title rival, Fernando Alonso, has moved up to sixth.
The Ferrari driver is just 13 points behind Vettel in the drivers’ standings and has a huge chance to either close that gap or edge ahead of the two-time world champion.
Vettel forced to the back of the grid in Abu Dhabi
SEBASTIAN VETTEL WILL start from the back of the grid at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after not having enough fuel at the end of qualifying.
The Formula One championship leader qualified third at the Yas Marina Circuit before stopping at the end of his in-lap.
Under F1 rules, drivers must return to the pits so a one-litre fuel sample can be taken from their cars.
Stewards accepted Red Bull’s reasons for Vettel’s failure to return to the pits, but a later check found he was unable to provide the required one-litre sample.
“The stewards accepted the explanation and considered the incident as being a case of force majeure.
“However a report was received from the technical delegate that showed during post-qualifying scrutineering an insufficient quantity of fuel for sampling purposes.”
It led to Vettel being disqualified from qualifying – which Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) topped ahead of Mark Webber.
While the German will start from the back of the grid, his nearest title rival, Fernando Alonso, has moved up to sixth.
The Ferrari driver is just 13 points behind Vettel in the drivers’ standings and has a huge chance to either close that gap or edge ahead of the two-time world champion.
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F1 Red Bull Sebastian Vettel