World Champion Sebastian Vettel of team Red Bull Racing was fined with 25000 Euros with non-compliance of FIA Formula One sporting regulations under Article 43.3. Notably, after winning the Indian Grand Prix and taking home his fourth consecutive world title, Vettel drove past the finish line and celebrated his victory with crowd. Instead of moving straight into the pit lane, Vettel broke the rules of Formula One and drove car straight into the pit while performing doughnuts in front of the crowd. A statement issued by FIA, explained how the racer violated rules by performing stunts. "The driver failed to proceed directly to the post race parc ferme as detailed under Article 43.3 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations. Due to special circumstances the stewards accepted the explanation of the driver. The team failed to instruct the driver sufficiently to return directly to the post race parc ferme," it said.
Officials from Red Bull Racing spoke about the possibility of Vettel getting fined for his act. An official from the team said, “I would be disappointed if he did [get punished] because to win a world championship and to show a bit of exuberance in front of a crowd like that, it is great for Formula One. It is great for the show - and it will be a great pity to see that kind of thing subdued or penalised.” Vettel, on the other hand, was unaffected by this fine and said that he had decided about his celebrations. Adding further, he claimed that despite getting an official instruction, he went ahead and decided to celebrate after achieving an incredible feat. “When my engineer called for the usual procedure to go to parc ferme and park the car, I said to myself I don’t care. I am going to the crowd at the main grandstand to have some fun there, which I enjoyed a lot,” he was quoted as saying.
The driver bowed to his car and threw his gloves to the spectators at the main grandstand after claiming victory at 2013 Indian Grand Prix, which was held on 27th October at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Notably, the German is the youngest ever driver in F1 history to become world champion for the fourth time. It has been an emotional week for Sebastian Vettel, who was emotionally and physically drained after storming to victory at 2013 Indian Grand Prix. Industry experts feel that this fine is a mere formality and is not likely to affect either Vettel or Red Bull Racing.
