Poor Sebastian Vettel. The four-time champ is finally back in the Aus GP paddock this weekend after testing positive for COVID-19 and being pretty poorly, and now he’s had a shocker of a start in FP1.
40 minutes into FP1 at Albert Park, Vettel had to pull over to the side of the track as smoke was pouring out the back of his Aston Martin. Fireman Seb returned as he tried to tame the issue with a fire extinguisher, but it meant his session was already over.
Seb is back…
And so is Fireman Seb#AusGP #WTF1 pic.twitter.com/MWiZZeCftN— WTF1 (@wtf1official) April 8, 2022
However, rather than get a regular ride back to the paddock, it appears that Seb waited and instead borrowed one of the trackside marshal’s mopeds and made his way back to the garage himself after the session had finished 😂
Balancing his helmet on top of his head and in his full racing overalls, Seb waved to the packed grandstands as he headed back once all cars were off the track.
Sebastian Vettel lapping Albert Park on a scooter and waving to the crowd at the end of FP1 😂👏 #AusGP #WTF1 pic.twitter.com/c6t39VQXp3
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) April 8, 2022
Despite the fans loving it, the FIA weren’t very happy. Vettel was put under investigation for entering the track without permission and has since received a €5,000 fine.
The document explain the reason for the fine as follows:
“The Stewards determine that Car 5 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.”
That’s a sight us F1 fans weren’t expecting to see today!
