Stewards fine Vettel

The German had been summoned to see the stewards before qualifying because teams and drivers had been told that practice starts in the pits were outlawed for this weekend's race at Spa.

The FIA stewards elected to punish Vettel with a financial penalty for what they considered a breach of Article 30.13 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations

The rule states: "At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pitlane."

The stewards did suggest, however, that the penalty could have been worse if the team had not informed race director Charlie Whiting of the breach after it happened.

A statement issued by the FIA said: "In mitigation of the penalty is the fact that the team and driver immediately realised their error and reported it to the race director.

"The team also reported that the 'lollypop man' was performing this role for the first time."