Sebastian Vettel believes Mercedes’ request for a review of Max Verstappen’s antics in Brazil is “a bit unnecessary” ahead of Friday’s ruling.
At the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were once again wheel-to-wheel as Hamilton attempted to pass the Red Bull driver for the lead.
Verstappen tried to run around the outside of his competitor on lap 48, but he ran wide at Turn 4, throwing both drivers off the track.
Verstappen maintained his advantage.
But it wasn’t long before Hamilton charged at the Dutchman again, this time successfully.
On the day after the stewards decided not to investigate him for forcing another driver off the track, he raced to victory and a much-needed 25 points with Verstappen in P2.
Mercedes has requested the right to appeal, and a decision is expected on Friday.
Vettel commented ahead of the decision that he thought it was all a bit unnecessary.
“They were fighting for the lead, so it’s obviously the biggest fight going on in every race,” he said of the tussle between Verstappen and Hamilton.
It’s the second time this season that either Red Bull or Mercedes has looked into a penalty, or lack thereof, with Red Bull doing so after Hamilton was given a 10-second penalty at Silverstone for colliding with Verstappen.
Red Bull believed a harsher penalty should have been imposed, but no new evidence was presented. Their appeal was turned down.
Asked if he thought teams using the right to review was good for F1, Vettel replied: “I’m not involved. But I think it’s a bit unnecessary.
“I think time goes one way, so what changes? I don’t think anything changes. I think Lewis drove a great race. He won. He was faster. That’s it.”
The Aston Martin driver also mentioned Verstappen’s €50,000 fine for touching Hamilton’s rear wing during the Sao Paulo race while in parc ferme.
Vettel thinks it’s a ridiculous rule, as he joked later that weekend.
“No, we can’t touch cars,” he said. “What’s the point? We sit in them. Are we allowed to touch our cars?
“I think we need to relax a little bit.”
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