Lance Stroll believes that the ten-second stop-go penalty that Sebastian Vettel was given was unfair, as it was a heavier penalty than he was given.
Vettel was awarded the penalty after he rejoined the track into the path of Stroll's Racing Point, causing the Canadian to spin out. Then, when Stroll rejoined the track himself he nearly came into contact with the Toro Rosso of Piere Gasly, with the Frenchman having to take avoiding action into the gravel.
Whilst Vettel was given the most severe penalty that the stewards can award aside from disqualification, Stroll escaped with a drive-through penalty.
“He got a 10-second stop and go. I got a drive-through, so I think that is not really fair because it was exactly the same thing that I did,” Stroll said, as quoted by Motorsportweek.com.
“I think it should have been an identical penalty.”
Even though the incident with Vettel cost Stroll a chance at a finish well inside the points, he isn't too bitter about the situation.
“Seb came back on the track very aggressively, I was as cautious as I could be with the yellow flags but he was literally blocking the circuit coming back on the track the way he was,” Stroll added.
“I tried to avoid him but I think he clipped me, he clipped my rear-right and that spun me around. From there I came back on without being able to see anyone coming from my right so I tried to get back.
“I was in the middle of the circuit out of Turn 10 trying to get out of the way but I think something happened very similar to what happened with Seb. That’s racing and a lot of things are unfair about racing.”
Vettel went on to finish one place behind Stroll, over a lap down on his teammate and race winner Charles Leclerc.
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Replies (5)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
That's... pretty mature, Stroll. I disagree, but still a good showing. I find that while the incidents were similar in nature, Vettel was the one kicking it off. And worse, he is a four time champion pulling it off. I just don't expect this kinda amateur driving from him. It was incomprehensible. And yes, his visibility was pretty much zero, but crossing the track the way he did was just not okay. I can get Stroll doing a poor recovery like that. I don't get Vettel doing it. He really ain't justifying that salary right now.
abhidbgt
Posts: 283
Well said.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Agree Calle. It sure did look like Seb turned his head and looked right at Stroll before coming onto the track but he was probably right in his blindspot.
TheDentist
Posts: 24
Was deserved penalty, or should have been harsher, he joined the track in an unsafe manner with Lewis Hamilton and got a penalty, he did it again today, after seeing the recent death as a result of cars colliding in Spa, he should know better to join in a safer manner rather than connecting with another car.
Dert38
Posts: 377
The difference is that previous incident obviously affected you and you won't declare that Lance.