Sebastian Vettel has been penalised for overtaking under red flags during third practice, compounding a difficult day for the Ferrari driver.
The German was given a five-place penalty by the Canadian Grand Prix race stewards and three penalty points on his race licence for passing a Manor under red flag conditions.
Vettel argued that the Manor appeared to have a problem because it was lapping slowly, but the stewards felt that Vettel should be penalised for breaking the rules.
“There was a red flag at the time, I saw a Manor; I don’t know what the problem was with him, he was going quite slow and I passed him,” he said prior to heading to the stewards office.
Vettel had qualified 15th after engine problems during Q1, but will likely start 18th when Max Verstappen takes his 15-place penalty, whilst Jenson Button – who failed to qualify – will start from the pit lane.
