'Fun police': Sebastian Vettel's innocuous act sparks FIA investigation
Aston Martin F1 driver Sebastian Vettel has is facing the wrath of race stewards at his first grand prix of the season after a cheeky act during free practice on Friday.
Vettel will line up for his first race of the season this weekend after missing the opening two rounds of the F1 season after testing positive for Covid-19.
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His first outing on track didn't go to plan, with the four-time world champion forced to stop on the track thanks to an engine problem.
With smoke billowing out the back of the Aston Martin, Vettell quickly doused the vehicle before he hopped on a scooter to get back to pit lane.
The popular German driver enjoyed waving to the fans on his way back to the garage, even taking both hands off the handlebars as he cruised around the Albert Park course.
German F1 driver Sebastian Vettel's car broke down during practice at the Melbourne GP.
Instead of letting the track crew go to work, Vettel took matters into his own hands, fire extinguishing his own car. #AusGP pic.twitter.com/MS5MfFvF2p— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) April 8, 2022
Unfortunately, the FIA has taken a dim view of his scooter trip, announcing an investigation into Vettel 'for entering the track without permission”.
Some fans have accused the FIA of being the 'fun police' however given the governing body's history on safety it seems likely those criticisms will fall on deaf ears.
The FIA expects to hand down the results of the investigation before FP2 on Saturday.
Of course, Vettel is under investigation by the fun police...
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) April 8, 2022
Vettel waited until the end of the session and then hops on a moped to scoot around half the lap himself back to the pits! Plenty of waves to the crowd (Although balancing his helmet on top of his head 😂) #F1 #AustralianGP
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) April 8, 2022
Ladies and gents: Four-time world champion - Sebastian Vettel. #AusGP pic.twitter.com/hDg9MXQm7G
— Pranav Mukul (@pranavmukul) April 8, 2022
Daniel Ricciardo tempers hopes at Australian Grand Prix
Daniel Ricciardo is tempering expectations ahead of the return of Formula One to Melbourne.
The Australian ace reckons a top-10 finish at the Australian Grand Prix would be somewhat of a victory for his struggling McLaren team.
Ricciardo and his fellow F1 drivers get their first look at a redeveloped Albert Park circuit on Friday.
The two practice sessions will be insightful amid widespread track changes undertaken during the COVID-enforced two-year absence of F1 from Australia.
"I am beyond excited to get back out on track in Melbourne," Ricciardo said.
"Nothing beats a home crowd and the Australian fans are some of the best in the world."
Ricciardo spent more than a week in his home city of Perth after failing to finish the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
That Jeddah race followed a 14th place in the season-opener in Bahrain as McLaren battle with teething problems in their cars.
In a nutshell, Ricciardo's McLaren is suffering a lack of grip to the track, particularly slow when cornering, resulting in widespread headaches.
Ricciardo was involved in the redevelopment tweaks to the Albert Park track.
His inside knowledge was a factor as the entire circuit was resurfaced and seven corners altered - including two removed altogether - in a bid to offer more overtaking chances.
But Ricciardo admits: "We still have a long way to go.
"We're focused on the task at hand.
"Let's get back out there, fight as hard as we can, and hopefully put on a bit of a show"
With AAP
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