How lengthy Sebastian Vettel investigation could damage F1 season
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/07/2017 at 13:37 GMT
Formula 1's attention will be on Paris on Monday where the FIA will deliberate on the clash between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in Baku.
Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari on the drivers parade
Image credit: Getty Images
Following the controversy of Vettel's swerve into Hamilton behind the safety car in Azerbaijan, and the questions raised about whether the German's 10-second stop-go penalty was harsh enough, motor racing's governing body will investigate the matter again "to evaluate whether further action is necessary".
Details about the process, and who will be involved in Monday's investigation, have not been released, but sources suggest that Vettel has been invited for a private meeting with FIA president Jean Todt to discuss the matter. If Todt decides to take the matter to the International Tribunal, there are all sorts of potential consequences for the former world champion.
What punishments could Vettel face?
- No action - The International Tribunal could decide his penalty at Baku was enough. It would be viewed as a poor call given the obvious evidence.
- A fine - Would seem to be the easiest option. A punishment, but not damaging the potential for a frantic title fight between Vettel and Hamilton.
- Retrospective disqualification from Baku - Vettel was not black flagged or disqualified for hitting Hamilton, but that is an option that could be taken by the International Tribunal. Vettel would be docked the 12 points he received from finishing fourth while Hamilton would add two points to his total.
- Points deduction - The Baku result could be allowed to stand, but the International Tribunal could also hand Vettel a points deduction in the overall standings.
- Race ban - Vettel could be banned for the Austrian Grand Prix or another Grand Prix depending on how long the International Tribunal takes to reached their decision.
- Banned from Drivers' Championship - The severest form of punishment, but one that cannot be ruled out if a driver is deemed to have driven into another car. Michael Schumacher was ruled out of Drivers' Championship in 1997 after hitting Jacques Villeneuve, his main rival, in Jerez.
Whatever happens in the corridors of the FIA's headquarters in Paris, a statement has been promised before this week's race at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. But it could merely be the start of a saga which could overshadow the rest of the F1 season. Here is what could happen.:
Friday July 7
FIA release initial statement after consulting Vettel before this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg.
Monday July 17
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Vettel/Hamilton
Image credit: Eurosport
A day after the British Grand Prix on July 16 and the earliest date a hearing is likely to take place if the FIA concludes that further action in sporting terms is necessary - it will not simply be a matter of handing out a punishment this week. Should FIA president Jean Todt choose to take the Vettel matter to the International Tribunal then charges will be brought and a judging panel will be made up of at least three people from the FIA's roster to lead the hearing.
Tuesday August 1
Once charges have been raised, then the respondent will be granted at least 15 days to submit his response. That would take us to the start of August.
Wednesday August 16
The prosecution is then given a further 15 days to respond if required.
Thursday August 31
There is supposed to be a period of at least 15 more days between the reply by the prosecuting body and the hearing, although in theory all of this could be fast tracked if necessary. The International Tribunal has a fairly open hand in terms of choosing what punishment is handed down if it rules that the defendant has been found guilty.
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Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP talks with second placed qualifier Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari in parc ferme during qualifying for the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 10, 2017
Image credit: Getty Images
Monday October 2?
Once the hearing has been completed then a decision by the court will be taken by a simple majority of the members of the judging panel. If there is a deadlock, then the president of the hearing will get the casting vote.
But the International Tribunal outcome is subject to appeal, so if Vettel feels that any sanction handed down is unfair he can then take the matter to the International Court of Appeal - a process could take several more weeks. Let's say it takes four weeks, the case could still be going in early October.
October 2 is a day after the Malaysian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur - the fifth-to-last race of the season.
Will this overshadow the F1 season?
If it runs and runs via appeal, it could take at least three months to reach a final conclusion. It depends on what punishments are doled out, and whether not Vettel is willing to accept them. One interesting point that could be relevant in the Vettel case is that previous records will be taken into account - and that acting 'intentionally' does not have to be proved.
Vettel already has nine penalty points on his licence, and escaped a tribunal hearing last year after apologising profusely for a radio outburst towards race director Charlie Whiting at the Mexican GP.
The statutes say: "Subject to the principle of proportionality, [the Tribunal] shall take into account the gravity of the facts, the degree of culpability, and past record and character of the person in order to determine the nature and severity of the sanctions Unless stated otherwise, offences or infringements are punishable, whether they were committed intentionally or negligently."
Information via Autosport.
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