F1: Ferrari confirm they have requested a ‘right of review’ over Sebastian Vettel’s Canadian Grand Prix penalty

Vettel lost his victory in Montreal after he was punished for blocking Hamilton when he went off on the 48th lap

Ferrari have confirmed that they have requested a review of Sebastian Vettel’s controversial time penalty that gifted victory in the Canadian Grand Prix to Lewis Hamilton.

Vettel saw his first victory of the 2019 season ripped from his grasp eight days ago when stewards punished him for dangerously re-entering the track on the 48th lap after an error saw him cut across the grass at turn three of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

As Vettel attempted to regain control of his Ferrari, he drifted right across the track and closed the gap between his car and the wall, which Hamilton was attempting to drive through to take the lead of the race, and after reviewing various angles stewards decided that Vettel had made a second deliberate move to close the door intentionally.

Under the FIA’s regulations, teams cannot appeal mid-race time penalties, which meant that Vettel relinquished the race victory to Hamilton without being able to challenge the punishment or argue his case to the stewards.

However, teams are able to submit a ‘right of review’ if they are able to present ‘significant and relevant’ new evidence that proves their case, which Ferrari have said they have done.

The Italian team would not elaborate on what that evidence is, but under the FIA’s International Sporting Code 'the stewards shall have the sole discretion to determine if a significant and relevant new element exists'.

An infuriated Vettel initially refused to attend the post-race podium ceremony in Montreal, berating the stewards on his team radio before marching to the Ferrari hospitality area, but the four-time world champion was eventually talked round into attending it as he risked possible disqualification for a further infringement.

However, he made his feelings known afterwards, and while Vettel did not blame Hamilton for the saga, the fallout is likely to drag into this weekend’s French Grand Prix, which takes place at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet.