Sebastian Vettel has been handed a three-place grid drop for the Japanese Grand Prix after causing a collision at the first corner of the Malaysia Grand Prix.
F1: Vettel handed grid penalty for Malaysia crash
Sebastian Vettel has been handed a three-place grid drop for the Japanese Grand Prix for causing a collision at the first turn of the Malaysia Grand Prix.
Vettel dived down the inside at turn one in a bid to overtake Max Verstappen, but the Ferrari driver collided with Mercedes' Nico Rosberg, who spun as a result of the contact.
Four-time world champion Vettel damaged his suspension and subsequently retired from the race, and he faces a tougher task to bounce back at Suzuka after the stewards' decision.
"Having thoroughly reviewed the video and having spoken to the driver concerned, the stewards determined that although the cars involved in the incident were all moving at relatively similar speeds, the driver of Car 5 [Vettel] made a small error entering to the inside of Turn 1 that led to the contact with Car 6 [Rosberg]," read a statement.
"As a consequence, Car 6 was caused to spin from second place and lose multiple positions, which the stewards determined was predominantly the fault of the driver of Car 5."
Meanwhile Haas have been fined €5,000 after it was ruled the team was at fault for one of Esteban Gutierrez's wheels becoming detached from the car.
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