AUGUST 1, 2021

Vettel disqualified from second place

Sebastian Vettel has lost his second place finish in the Hungarian Grand Prix, because he did not have enough fuel left in his car after the finish.

Sebastian Vettel, Hungarian GP 2021
© Aston Marting Racing

Sebastian Vettel has lost his second place finish in the Hungarian Grand Prix, because he did not have enough fuel left in his car after the finish.

After driving a fantastic race, chasing Esteban Ocon closely to the finish, Sebastian Vettel ran out of fuel on the cool down lap. During the mandatory FIA post-race Scrutineering the FIA was not able to take a the one-liter fuel sample from Vetttel’s Aston Marin-Mercedes, as is requires by the regulations.

The FIA statement said, “the team was given several opportunities to attempt to remove the required amount of fuel from the tank, however it was only possible to pump 0.3 litres out.”

"During the hearing in presence of the FIA Technical Delegate and the FIA Technical Director the team principal of Aston Martin stated that there must be 1,44 litres left in the tank, but they are not able to get it out. This figure is calculated using the FFM or injector model.”

"Given this situation, car No. 5 is not in compliance with the requirements of Art. 6.6 FIA Technical Regulations. According to Art. 6.6.2 competitors must ensure that a 1.0 litre sample of fuel may be taken from the car at any time. The procedure was followed however the 1.0 litre sample of fuel was unable to be taken.”

"The Stewards determine to apply the standard penalty for technical infringements. Therefore they took into account, that it shall be no defence to claim that no performance advantage was obtained.”

The disqualification thus moves Lewis Hamilton up to second place and Carlos Sainz up to the podium in third place.