Vettel under investigation for FIA weighbridge fiasco

Sebastian Vettel will be sent to the stewards for breaking the FIA weighbridge scales and refusing to turn off his engine whilst his car was weighed. In Q2, with the threat of rain in the air and Ferrari opting for a brave call to fit soft tyres before they set a lap, Vettel was eager to get going after his car was weighed.

Vettel will face the stewards after qualifying with the risk of a grid penalty hanging over his head.

A statement on the decision read was issued between Q2 and Q3 and means that Vettel could lose his P2 starting position.

“During the second Qualifying session at 15:27, the driver of car number 05, when called for weighing, refused to turn off the engine. The car was pushed onto the scales and weighed with a running engine, which makes it difficult to get a stable result. After weighing the driver drove off the scales under its own power, and by doing so, he destroyed the scales.

“As the driver was not following the instructions and further compromised the continuation of the weighing procedure, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Asked immediately after qualifying what he thought of the incident, Vettel pleaded his case that the stop was unfair.

"They shouldn't call us," Vettel said. "When the conditions are changing like that I think it's unfair if somebody is pulled in.

"I wanted them to hurry up."