Vettel fined for riding moped on track after F1 practice

The four-time world champion borrowed a moped from a marshal to ride back to the pits via the Albert Park circuit itself during a red flag period after his Aston Martin car stopped on track with an engine issue during the closing stages of FP1.

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The stewards verdict read: "The Stewards determine that Car 5 stopped on the circuit due to a mechanical issue. At the end of the session, VET sought a way to return to his pit. A marshal was at the location with a scooter. VET asked if he could drive the scooter in order to return to his pit.

"The marshal assented. VET got on the scooter, expecting the marshal to get on behind him. When he didn’t get on, VET departed alone for the pit, without the prior approval to do so. Meanwhile, the marshal was trying to contact Race Control for instructions.

"In driving on the track to his pit, instead of the designated route, VET breached Article 26.7 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations, which prohibits anyone from being on the track in the five-minute period after the end of a session, with the exception of specifically identified personnel, which makes no provision for drivers to have such access unless specifically authorised."

This is the most iconic end to a practice session we can remember #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/4jPlAZotzd

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022

Article 26.7 of F1’s sporting regulations states that “during the period commencing 15 minutes prior to and ending five minutes after every session”, no-one is allowed on-track, at pit entry or pit exit with the exception of:

• Marshals or other authorised personnel in the execution of their duty

• Team personnel when either pushing a car or clearing equipment from the grid after all cars able to do so have left the grid on the formation lap.

“Obviously we had a problem, there was smoke,” Vettel told Sky Sports.

“I did the best that I could to limit the damage and get off the track as quickly as I could.

“It cost us the whole session which is not ideal. I haven’t been in the car for a while plus the track is different.

“It will be fine for tomorrow but it has cost us laps.”