Vettel hit with FIA fine for Melbourne scooter ride

Sebastian Vettel has been handed a €5,000 fine for riding a scooter around Albert Park to return to the pits after first practice for the Australian Grand Prix.

The four-time F1 champion finished his day early with smoke pouring from the rear of his Aston Martin in the closing stages of FP1.

Once the session had finished, Vettel made his way back onto the circuit on the motorised scooter, waving to fans as he travelled back to his garage.

But the FIA took a dim view of his actions and immediately opened an investigation into the incident, coming to the conclusion that the German should be fined.

The incident report read: "The Stewards determined that Car 5 [Vettel] stopped on the circuit due to a mechanical issue.

"At the end of the session, VET sought a way to return to his pit. A marshal was at the location with a scooter.

"VET asked if he could drive the scooter in order to return to his pit. The marshal assented.

"VET got on the scooter, expecting the marshal to get on behind him. When he didn’t get on, VET departed alone for the pit, without the prior approval to do so.

"Meanwhile, the marshal was trying to contact Race Control for instructions.

"In driving on the track to his pit, instead of the designated route, VET breached Article 26.7 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations, which prohibits anyone from being on the track in the five-minute period after the end of a session, with the exception of specifically identified personnel, which makes no provision for drivers to have such access unless specifically authorized."

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