The FIA has confirmed that Sebastian Vettel’s overtake on Jean-Eric Vergne during lap four of the Brazilian Grand Prix was 100 per cent legitimate.
The overtake has been shrouded in controversy following new onboard footage which shows the German passing the Toro Rosso under yellow flags. However the governing body confirmed that a waved green flag at the marshal post on the exit of turn three overrides the lighting board – which shows a yellow flag – on the right.
Ferrari confirmed it had analysed the video and even went as far as requesting clarification on the matter from the FIA.
“Ferrari has requested, by letter, a clarification to the FIA for the advancement of VET on VER on lap 4 of the Brazilian GP,” read a tweet from the team.
Had it turned out to have been illegal, Vettel would have been dropped to eighth with the addition of a 20-second time penalty, handing the title to Fernando Alonso by a single point.
As it turns out the incident has been dismissed by the FIA and therefore the result remains.
