Sebastian Vettel has received a 5,000 euro fine from the stewards after he commandeered a scooter during Friday practice at the 2022 Australian Grand Prix.
Vettel managed to put 18 laps on the board during the first free practice session on Friday before an engine failure put an early end to his running.
It subsequently ended the session due to time constraints, meaning everyone else headed back to the pits, leaving the track empty.
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The four-time champion therefore took the opportunity to commandeer a scooter and complete the lap back to the pits.
As amusing as it was, it contravened FIA regulations, so he was called to the stewards’ room to explain himself.
“The driver and team representative are required to report to the Stewards at 17:45 in relation to the incident below,” said a summons from the governing body
“Alleged breach of Article 26.7 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations by the driver of Car 5. [Vettel], unauthorised use of a scooter on the track at 14.04.”
The consequence for the indiscretion comes in the form of a 5,000 euro fine, but this turned out to be the least of Vettel’s issues this weekend.
READ: Grand Theft Auto: Vettel summoned to the stewards after commandeering a scooter
He and team-mate Lance Stroll both crashed into the barrier during the third and final practice session on Saturday morning, giving the team a mammoth repair job on both cars before qualifying.
Stroll’s car had incurred the more repairable damage, and the team were able to get him out on track, only for the Canadian to crash into compatriot Nicholas Latifi, sending them both out of the session.
The red flag gave the Silverstone squad enough time to complete the repairs on Vettel’s car, but he had only two minutes to hurry through an out-lap, leaving him to set a lap time good enough only for 18th on cold tyres.
For his part in the qualifying accident with Latifi, Stroll has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the race as well as two penalty points.