F1: Red Bull Chooses Pitlane Start For Penalized Vettel

Formula 1

F1: Red Bull Chooses Pitlane Start For Penalized Vettel

Sebastian Vettel was excluded from qualifying for failing to have enough fuel for a sample...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 03, 2012 Abu Dhabi (ARE)

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing prepares to drive during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 3, 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: Getty Images)

Red Bull has decided to start Sebastian Vettel from the pitlane rather than from the back of the grid, as per the FIA decision.

The team says it wants to investigate the problem, but it will also have a chance to change settings.

“During the slow down lap following the final run of Q3, Renault instructed to immediately stop Sebastian’s car on the circuit due to an issue with the fuel system,” said Christian Horner.

“After speaking with the stewards, who accepted the situation of force majeure for technical reasons for the car to be stopped, unfortunately, for reasons yet to be fully understood, 850ml of the required one liter was pumped out of the car following post race checks.

“As a result, the FIA has excluded Sebastian from qualifying and we will withdraw the car from Parc Ferme in order to investigate further. Therefore Sebastian will start from the pit lane for tomorrow’s race. We will need to make the most of Mark’s strong front-row grid position and Sebastian will have a busy evening ahead of him.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.