Vettel avoids FIA action

It appears that Sebastian Vettel has begged and pleaded his way out of any FIA action for swearing at Formula One race director Charlie Whiting.

Most people in the paddock believed that the FIA would come down hard on the former four-time Formula One World Champion for repeatedly telling Whiting to ‘****’ off over team radio.

‘You know what? Here is the message for Charlie: **** off! Honestly, **** off,’

The obscenity ridden rant came following Red Bull’s Max Verstappen’s decision to not pull over for the Ferrari driver after he had maintained his position due to running off the track.

Verstappen would eventually be given a post-race time penalty which temporarily elevated Vettel to third, only for Vettel to then be handed his own time penalty for blocking Daniel Ricciardo in the braking zone.

Vettel later went to apologise to Whiting for his radio comments which had been broadcast on the world feed by FOM.

Vettel could have faced either a reprimand, a fine or even a suspension.

But following letters of apology to the FIA and Charlie Whiting, he has been spared any disciplinary action.

An FIA statement on motorsport.com read: At the recent Mexican Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel made comments over team radio using repeated foul language directed at both the FIA Formula 1 Race Director Charlie Whiting and a fellow competitor which were retransmitted during the live broadcast of the event.

Immediately following this incident, Sebastian Vettel spontaneously sought out Charlie Whiting to express his regrets for his behaviour in person. He then, again on his own initiative, sent letters to each of the FIA President Jean Todt and Charlie Whiting, in which he apologised profusely for his actions. He also indicated that he would likewise be contacting Max Verstappen and vowed that such an incident would never occur again.

In the light of this sincere apology and strong commitment, the FIA President has decided, on an exceptional basis, not to take disciplinary action against Mr Vettel by bringing this matter before the FIA International Tribunal.