Sebastian Vettel set to avoid Suzuka grid penalty

Sebastian Vettel looks set to avoid a grid penalty at Suzuka this weekend. The German had admitted after his bizarre post-race crash with Lance Stroll that he wasn't sure if his gearbox had been damaged. If it needs to be replaced, he would take a five-place grid drop this weekend in Japan.

Sky Italia reports that Ferrari sent the unit back to Maranello where it was found that it "should be (able to be) saved". However, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has admitted that the weekend in Malaysia left him angry and "tearing out my hair".


"It is unquestionable that we could have won, not only there but also in Singapore," he said. "Our problems are due to two things. First, we have a very young team, and second, the quality of the components is not up to the required level. We are intervening now with organisational changes."

Ferrari's two drivers, however, are calling for calm. Vettel is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport: "It is definitely not ideal to have two similar defects on consecutive days. But we also can't complain about our reliability over the entire season. This happens when you operate at the limit." And Kimi Raikkonen said: "There is no reason to blame anyone. We obviously had a very difficult weekend in Malaysia, but I'm sure we will get it under control."

Vettel continued: "The truth is that we have a car that can win anywhere. I think we are faster than Mercedes. It was a difficult weekend, but our speed is promising." (GMM)

Replies (10)

Login to reply
  • Barron

    Posts: 625

    Well, that's good news anyway...

    • + 0
    • Oct 3 2017 - 12:35
  • All the money, they spend and they can't make parts of decent quality, I would say they can't get the basics right...........

    • + 0
    • Oct 3 2017 - 12:57
    • I think it might have been Chapman that said that if the car doesn't break down completely after crossing the finish line then you over designed it. What would you rather have, a car that was challenging for 2nd and 3rd or a slightly more fragile car challenging for 1st?

      • + 0
      • Oct 3 2017 - 13:17
    • On the contrary, my dear Henry: these current gearboxes are usually very reliable. How often do we have failing gearboxes nowadays? Not very often really, and thats despite them being put under severe stress each race.

      • + 0
      • Oct 3 2017 - 13:21
  • Well that was a dodged bullet.

    • + 0
    • Oct 3 2017 - 13:19
  • kngrthr

    Posts: 203

    you shouldn't get a gearbox penalty if someone crashes into it. thats just stupid.
    the rule was supposed to force you into making a long lived box to save money.
    if it breaks or wears out fair enough but not this.
    you could even rig the championship outcome by taking someone out deliberately. not saying this happened but it could.

    • + 0
    • Oct 3 2017 - 16:13
    • They should really add some exceptions. Its the same with power unit parts IMO: parts lost in incidents you didnt cause shouldnt be parts you should be able to be penalised for.

      • + 0
      • Oct 3 2017 - 16:37
  • f1dave

    Posts: 782

    Quoting Sergio Marchionne "Our problems are due to two things. First, we have a very young team, and second, the quality of the components is not up to the required level.
    Maybe someone should tell him how long Ferrari has been in F1. Poorest excuse I've heard EVER !!

    • + 0
    • Oct 3 2017 - 18:54
    • Xtreme

      Posts: 53

      He means the Engine team not the entire F1 team.

      • + 0
      • Oct 3 2017 - 21:13
  • Savio

    Posts: 145

    Who it said in TM: Fuc**** Raikkonnen, what a fuc**** idiot!

    • + 0
    • Oct 3 2017 - 21:38

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 1,480
  • Podiums 56
  • Grand Prix 161
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (38)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, DE
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar