Sebastian Vettel

Vettel at risk of race ban after Monza meltdown

Not good for Seb.

Matthew Scott

Monday 9 September 2019 08:00

Sebastian Vettel will race at the next three grands prix with the threat of a race ban hanging over him.

Vettel endured a miserable Italian Grand Prix, spinning out of fourth place at the Ascari Chicane and then making contact with Lance Stroll in a clumsy re-entry to the circuit.

A 10-second stop-go penalty did further damage to Vettel's race and he eventually finished 13th on an otherwise jubilant day for Ferrari, as Charles Leclerc held off both Mercedes drivers to secure victory.

Article continues under video

As well as his in-race penalty, Vettel also had three penalty points added to his superlicence, taking his tally over the past 12 months to nine.

Vettel is not due to lose penalty points on his licence until October 19, after the Japanese Grand Prix.

If Vettel is guilty of another serious offence in Singapore, Russia or Japan, it could well see him banned for the subsequent event.

Vettel's active penalty points

2019 Italian GP: Unsafe return to track - 3 points
2019 British GP: Collision with Max Verstappen - 2 points
2019 Canadian GP: Unsafe return to track - 2 points
2018 United States GP: Speeding under red flags - 2 points