FIA stewards to discuss Ferrari's new Vettel evidence

Vettel was handed a 10-second penalty – dropping him from third place to fifth – after the FIA ruled that he had broken a recently introduced rule that effectively outlawed a driver from defending position by changing his direction in the braking zone.

Ferrari insists that new elements have come to light that justify of review of Vettel’s penalty – although the Italian team has refused to explain what it has uncovered.

Following discussions on Thursday regarding the matter, Motorsport.com understands that the Mexican GP stewards – Garry Connelly, Silvia Bellot, Danny Sullivan and Jorge Rodriguez – will speak during a teleconference on Friday to discuss the matter.

If they agree that Ferrari’s new evidence justifies a reopening of the case, then the matter will be passed to the stewards at the Brazilian Grand Prix for a fresh hearing to take place.

The FIA stewards at Interlagos are Tim Mayer, Nish Shetty, and Mika Salo – with a fourth local official joining the panel.

F1 race director Charlie Whiting told the media on Thursday that he had no doubts that what Vettel did in Mexico was wrong.

“Sebastian moves to the right and then, in the braking zone, moves to his left and then you can see quite clearly that Daniel had to take evasive action,” he explained.

“I think you can see very clearly that, had Daniel’s right front hit Sebastian’s left rear it would have been a significantly different scenario.

"That's, I think, what the stewards really looked at was that it was a potentially dangerous situation. It’s close, and I think that’s what the stewards looked at.”