Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel has been disqualified from the Hungarian Grand Prix, giving Carlos Sainz his second Ferrari podium.
Vettel finished second at the Hungaroring, behind shock winner Esteban Ocon, but has lost the result after failing to provide a sufficient fuel sample from his Aston Martin.
He stopped the car on-track after the flag and the FIA was only able to take a 0.3-litre sample following the correct procedure post-race, instead of the mandated 1.0-litre sample.
His disqualification promoted Lewis Hamilton to second place and Sainz into the top three.
Fernando Alonso takes fourth ahead of Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, Nicholas Latifi, George Russell, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen, who inherits a point.
The stewards said Aston Martin was given “several opportunities” to remove the required amount of fuel but only 0.3 litres could be pumped out.
Team principal Otmar Szafnauer told the stewards “that there must be 1.44 litres left in the tank” calculated using the fuel flow metre or injector model.
But as that fuel could not be extracted, Vettel’s car is in breach of the technical regulations.
Disqualification is the standard penalty in such circumstances and the stewards also noted that “it shall be no defence to claim that no performance advantage was obtained”.
Aston Martin has notified the FIA of its intent to appeal the decision.
The FIA technical department has sealed and impounded Vettel’s car until actual notice of appeal is received or the FIA International Court of Appeal makes any determinations.
Aston Martin has 96 hours to commit to the appeal.
Vettel still appears second in the order in the final results as Aston Martin’s notice of appeal means the classification remains provisional, subject to whether the appeal is lodged, but listed as a DSQ and with everyone else behind gaining a position.
The disqualification would have a significant impact on the championship standings if upheld.
It drops Aston Martin back behind AlphaTauri to seventh in the constructors’ championship and moves Ferrari level with McLaren in third.
Eighth-placed Williams also gains a valuable three points on pursuer Alfa Romeo despite Raikkonen’s elevation into the top 10.
And on the drivers’ side, Lewis Hamilton’s championship lead increases by two points to eight.
