Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have been handed reprimands by stewards at the Japanese Grand Prix, compounding a difficult weekend for the pair.
Alonso was judged to have ignored blue flags while being lapped by leaders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen during the closing stages of the race.
Alonso, who finished in 11th place, has been handed a reprimand and two penalty points on his license.
“Alonso was shown a solid blue indicator light on his dash, and waved blue flags, between Turn 14 and Turn 15 on lap 51," read a statement from the stewards.
“He also had received a flashing blue light informing him that race leader Lewis Hamilton was closing on him for over a lap before. Alonso let Hamilton pass during Lap 52 at Turn 11.
"The drivers have been told in the drivers' briefings that the provisions of the International Sporting Code, that they 'must allow the following car to pass at the earliest opportunity' means that they should do this for lapping cars regardless of their current battle.
"Stewards concluded that Alonso did not do this. Alonso noted in the hearing that there was an opportunity to allow Hamilton pass on the front straight, but not thereafter until Turn 11.
“The stewards accepted that there are limited safe places to let a car past between Turns 2 and 9, which contributed to the length of time it took to allow Hamilton past.
“In applying the penalty, the stewards compared the incident to other similar incidents and considered that while a breach, this was less severe than others, and that when he did move over he gave plenty of room, and subsequently to Verstappen."
Vettel, meanwhile, received a non-driving reprimand after he failed to be present for the national anthem ceremony prior to the race start.
It is Vettel’s second reprimand of the campaign, meaning that if he acquires one more for a driving infringement, he will cop a 10-place grid penalty.
