Fact: Car 5 did not slow sufficiently during a Red Flag period.

Offence: Breach of Article 31.6 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Decision: Drop of 3 grid positions. (2 penalty points awarded, 5 points for the 12 month period)

Reason: The Stewards reviewed the video evidence, positioning data and telemetry, and heard from the driver of car 5 (Sebastian Vettel) and team representative. The Stewards found that Vettel did, in fact, fail to stay above the minimum time set by the FIA ECU in marshalling sectors 6 and 7. As the regulation states, Art. 31.6 was added this year to ensure that drivers reduce speed significantly during a red flag. Breach of this regulation is seen to be an extremely serious matter. To be consistent with previous decisions on similar incidents this year, the Stewards assessed the penalty specified above. Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal the decisions of the Stewards (with the exception of those referred to in Article 12.2.4 of the FIA International Sporting Code), in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Article 9.1.1 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.