Published: Saturday October 6, 2012 MYT 4:18:00 PM
Updated: Saturday October 6, 2012 MYT 6:38:10 PM
Vettel escapes with reprimand
SUZUKA, Japan: Pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel escaped with a reprimand Saturday after a stewards' inquiry for blocking championship leader Fernando Alonso during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Vettel's pole position was in doubt after he was summoned by the stewards for impeding Alonso during the final moments of qualifying, when the Spaniard was arriving at the chicane.
After talking to both drivers and analysing video of the incident, officials decided to reprimand Vettel but they did not penalise him any grid places.
Alonso will start Sunday's race in sixth place. Vettel is his nearest competitor in the overall championship and is currently 29 points adrift. -AFP
Vettel called to stewards office
SUZUKA, Japan: Pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel was called to see race stewards Saturday after allegedly impeding Fernando Alonso during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The incident, which happened in the final chicane during the dying moments of qualifying, came as the defending world champion secured his fourth consecutive pole position at Suzuka.
Both Vettel of Red Bull and Ferrari's Alonso, the championship leader, were summoned to see the stewards.
Alonso was seventh quickest on a day when Red Bull returned to form and secured their first front-row lockout of the season.
Earlier Vettel said: "The car feels fantastic around here. I was able to pick up a bit more overnight and it all came together nicely.
"We worked very hard overnight to get the car where it is now.
"This year we are struggling in places and corners where traditionally we were competitive, so we didn't know what to expect here."
Vettel, who is second in the standings behind Alonso, will start the race five places ahead of the Spaniard. -AFP
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