Vettel facing penalty for yellow-flag infringement

Sebastian Vettel faces a Bahrain Grand Prix stewards' hearing for ignoring waved yellow flags during qualifying despite seemingly being cleared of any infringement.

Vettel's Aston Martin debut could not have gone any worse as the four-time Formula 1 champion was knocked out of Q1 and is currently due to start from 18th on the grid.

On his final flying lap in the opening qualifying session, Vettel initially encountered yellow flags when Nikita Mazepin spun on the entry to turn one, and again at turn eight where Ferrari's Carlos Sainz had slowed considerably due to power unit issues.

Following qualifying, the stewards cleared Vettel, Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll, Williams' George Russell and Alpine's Esteban Ocon after it was alleged they had not respected yellow flags at turn eight.

The stewards cited the fact they had reviewed video, timing and telemetry evidence and declared that "each car took appropriate action in the yellow-flag sector. In each case, the driver set a slower time in the sector, drove appropriately by the video, and telemetry showed they took appropriate actions".

But Vettel has now been ordered to see the stewards at 13.30 local time [11.30UK, 12.30 Europe] to review the fact he allegedly failed to slow at turn one, relating to the Mazepin spin.

Any penalty could see Vettel demoted to the back of the grid.

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