Sebastian Vettel has admitted that his swerve into Lewis Hamilton at the Baku Grand Prix was and overreaction.
After an FIA meeting in Paris today concluded that no further sporting action should be taken, Vettel has issued a statement in which he admitted responsibility and apologised to both fans and Hamilton directly.
Tha statement from Vettel’s website read:
During the re-start lap, I got surprised by Lewis and ran into the back of his car. With hindsight, I don’t believe he had any bad intentions. In the heat of the action I then overreacted, and therefore I want to apologise to Lewis directly, as well as to all the people who were watching the race. I realise that I was not setting a good example.
I had no intention at anytime to put Lewis in danger, but I understand that I caused a dangerous situation.
Therefore, I would like to apologise to the FIA. I accept and respect the decisions that were taken at today’s meeting in Paris, as well as the penalty imposed by the Stewards in Baku.
I love this sport and I am determined to represent it in a way that can be an example for future generations.
The 4-time world champion had initially denied any wrongdoing and instead claimed Hamilton should have been penalised for brake testing him.
He was handed a 10-second stop-go penalty immediately following the incident and later given 3 penalty points on his super license.
The tribunal held today in Paris concluded that he should take part in educational activities for younger formulas as well as being removed from the FIA road safety campaign until the end of the year.
But also stated that should anything like this happen again it will go immediately to a tribunal.
