By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
AUSTIN, Texas – Sebastian Vettel has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for the United States Grand Prix.
The decision came after it was deemed the 31-year-old German didn’t slow sufficient enough pace during a red flag in first practice. The incident came moments after Alfa Romeo Sauber driver Charles Leclerc spun and went off course when, upon rejoining, flung gravel in Turn 9.
Steward ruled the Scuderia Ferrari pilot had gone faster than the minimum time allowed in that section of the 20-turn, 3.426-mile circuit.
The outcome was yet another setback for Vettel, who came into this weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas trailing rival Lewis Hamilton by 67 points in the championship. While there are still four rounds to go, Hamilton only needs to outscore his counterpart by eight points to lock up his fifth F1 title on Sunday.
It also doesn’t help Vettel that momentum is rolling with Hamilton, who is on a roll with five victories over the last six races and also led both of Friday’s practice sessions.
With the penalty, even if Vettel scores the pole during qualifying on Saturday, it will mean he can start no better than fourth for Sunday’s race. The rainy conditions that plagued the day’s initial track activities are set to continue on Saturday.
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