Formula 1: New footage proves green flag during Vettel overtake
Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
New footage from Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull car shows the German did not commit an offence while passing Jean-Eric Vergne during the Brazilian GP.
Ferrari had from the FIA over whether the new world champion had passed the Frenchman's Toro Rosso in a no-overtaking zone.
The retrospective 20-second penalty for any offence would have seen Vettel lose his world title to Fernando Alonso.
Vettel won his third consecutive F1 drivers' title at Interlagos on Sunday.
Ferrari's request for clarification arose after videos had appeared on the internet which appeared to show Vettel still under yellow flags when he made the overtaking manoeuvre.
But the previously unavailable in-car feed has revealed a marshal waving a green flag - showing overtaking was allowed - that had been obscured until now by television graphics.
Although the dashboard display on the German's car still shows he is in a yellow-flag caution zone - in which overtaking is forbidden - drivers have been told by the sport's governing body, the FIA, to respond to the most recent change in trackside indication they have seen.
A 20-second punishment would have seen Vettel demoted to eighth place at Interlagos and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso clinch the world championship by one point.
The footage from Vettel's car was not broadcast on television during the race.
It was one of the video feeds made available to the BBC at the race, but was not available until now as it was in transit back from Brazil.
At full speed, the footage is still difficult to interpret, but slowed down, the marshal, situated shortly before the bridge, with the green flag is now clearly visible.
The FIA was aware of the green flag, so did not investigate the manoeuvre during the race.
After receiving a response from the FIA detailing the events,
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Mate what are you smoking? the green was flow-vis paint.
There's no controversy and no issue. Get over it.
Standing by for Alonso to withdraw his cryptic twitter nonsense. The guy showed himself up badly here.
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Totally agree, in fact both Ferrari and Alonso have gone right down in my opinion. The gear box fiasco was bad enough. They both need to spend more time trying to develop a decent car and less time whinging, moaning and rule bending.
That's me for this thread. Can't do with the comments. It's like a bunch of MPs
Are you seriously suggesting a professional racing driver didn't see the flag. It would've been pointed out to him at the drivers breifing and shown on the maps. He would've driven passed it for the previous 2 days and would've been looking out for it during the race. Vettel has completed hundreds of laps at the circuit and knew exactly where it was.
It does not matter what colour the previous light was or even if the light on the steering wheel had not updated. A man waving a green flag in motor racing means you're clear to continue racing. It really is that simple.
Vettel waited for the flag and then overtook.
52. Itsme : ferrari says they asked because they are getting mail about it. i can believe that. Alonso did make a snipe at Vettel, so he's not entirely undeserving of criticism; but considering the season, i'm willing to let him slide on that one.
flags and lights take precedence over lights shown in car, after which it is the first flag or light. Vettel overtake maneuver started after the first green flag and was completed before the first green light, ie legal.
Ferrari haven't appealed and only asked for confirmation because yet again Alonso was throwing his toys out of the pram. He's an excellent driver but......
All. Hail. Vettel.
Long may he rule.
doubters go cry in your cornflakes.
Sebatsian is the winner.
The flags/lights trackside take precedence over the dash indication - it's in the rules so the pass was legal
@bangers64
He was passed the waved green flag of the marshal before he started the overtake - not sure what you are watching to be honest