Yellow flag claim dismissed

25/11/2012

Mat Coch writes:

Sebastian Vettel's third world championship victory came in dramatic style after a damp Brazilian Grand Prix almost ended his race before it had really begun.

Dropping to the last after colliding with Bruno Senna the German charged through the field to be sixth by lap ten. However, doubts were cast over his charge when television replays suggested he passed Kamui Kobayashi under yellow flags.

It was suggested from some corners that Ferrari could protest the decision not to penalise Vettel, who would have likely received a drive-through penalty if found guilty. After the race Ferrari's technical director Pat Fry dismissed the notion, stating it was an oil flag, and not a caution, and that he did not expect a protest to be lodged by his team.

Race Steward Garry Connelly, subsequently confirmed Fry's claim, insisting that the flag shown was an oil flag.

Vettel finished the race in sixth place, handing him the world championship by three points over Fernando Alonso. The result means Vettel became the youngest ever triple world champion, taking the record from Ayrton Senna.

"He's in a club of one," commented teammate Mark Webber dryly after the race.

Vettel also becomes the third man in history to win three consecutive titles, joining Juan Manuel Fangio, who won four in a row ('54 to '57), and the retiring Michael Schumacher who won five ('00 to '04).

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