Ferrari look to launch appeal against Sebastian Vettel

Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso with the Ferrari team after missing out on another championship title in the last race of the season (GETTY IMAGES)

Ferrari are reportedly considering an appeal against the result of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix that could alter the outcome of this year's drivers' World Championship.

The Italian team are "evaluating footage" which appears to show the Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel overtaking Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne in a yellow caution zone, according to the BBC. Vettel finished sixth, enough to see him end the year three points ahead of Fernando Alonso and with it claim his third drivers' title in a row.

Were Ferrari to appeal successfully, the sport's governing body, the FIA, would have the power to add 20 seconds to Vettel's race time, a punishment which would drop the German to eighth place and lose him sufficient World Championship points to hand the title to Alonso instead.

The footage in question shows Vettel passing two points on the circuit where yellow flashing lights are clearly visible – indicating that drivers must not overtake. The FIA has until tomorrow to investigate.