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No further action after Vettel and Stroll's post-race collision

Published on 01 Oct 2017 11:24
5
By: Fergal Walsh

The stewards have decided to take no further action against Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll following their post-race collision at the Malaysian Grand Prix. As both drivers rounded Turn 5 were on the cool down lap, Vettel went around the outside of Stroll to pick up some rubber on the way back to the pits.

Stroll also intended to pick up the rubber, and was drifting to the outside line, seemingly unaware that Vettel was beside him. The two made contact, resulting in Vettel's left rear suspension being completely ripped apart. Stroll suffered no major damage to his Williams.

Vettel was quick to blame Stroll, claiming that the Canadian didn't see him going around the outside: "I went on the outside to pick up a bit of rubber - I think Lance wasn't looking and wanted to do the same," he said. "I was there already and we had contact - it was completely unnecessary. I think he just didn't look.

With the heavy impact, it remains to be seen whether or not a gearbox change will be forced to be carried out. Formula 1 travels straight to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend, and if a new gearbox is fitted, Vettel will likely suffer a 5-place grid penalty.

"I don't know [about the gearbox] But I'm sure we will find a way. It's not my fault if someone decides to pick up rubber and hit another car. I think we had a very good car - if we start ahead I think we win the race. Obviously, that didn't happen today. I think we were the quickest car for the majority of the race but we had to start last. Obviously, with Kimi retiring before we started it was a tough race."

Fergal Walsh

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

And most importantly, we are so lucky that it was a post race incident. I just hope it wont cost Vettel another penalty, not after the drive he had today.

1
Oct 1 2017 - 13:51

F1 News Sebastian Vettel Lance Stroll Williams

Replies (5)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
I think its the right decision, although Stroll might be a bit lucky.. Such a strange incident
- + 0
- Oct 1 2017 - 12:22
- Kevin
  
  Posts: 5,341
  Yeah, at first I thought it was Seb’s fault, but seeing the incident from behind it’s clearly Stroll who turns against the inside of Vettel. Stroll is lucky to get away with it.
  + 0
  
  Oct 1 2017 - 12:28
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  And most importantly, we are so lucky that it was a post race incident. I just hope it wont cost Vettel another penalty, not after the drive he had today.
  + 1
  
  Oct 1 2017 - 13:51
mbmwe36

Posts: 533
What a moron Stroll is...
I know that he brings a crap load of money with him, but the fact that Williams are willing to prostitute themselves like this is somewhat sad.
- + 0
- Oct 1 2017 - 20:08
- KyalamiKid
  
  Posts: 146
  Bit harsh.
  This was a dumb mistake, but after a physically and mentally draining race also understandable.
  He s been driving very well after a bad start to the season. Keeping massa on his toes for sure.
  + 0
  
  Oct 2 2017 - 10:00