FIA rule on Vettel qualifying incident

Sebastian Vettel escaped punishment after being called to the stewards for travelling too slowly on an in lap during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Vettel exceeded the maximum lap time expected to be seen, however his explanation that a flat spotted tyre was to blame was accepted by the stewards.

The stewards did not deem that Vettel's actions were worthy of punishment.

A statement read: "The driver stated he was on a push lap and, when coming into Turn 1, he heavily flat-spotted both front tyres.

"He aborted the lap, however the car was experiencing severe vibrations (as evidenced by telemetry tabled in evidence).

"As a result, the driver could not maintain the speed required to meet the requirement to stay below the maximum time specified."

Vettel keeps hold of his second place on the grid alongside teammate Charles Leclerc, who became Ferrari's youngest polesitter in Sakhir.

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