Vettel Explains Moped Incident After Australian F1 GP Practice

Vettel’s Aston Martin had stopped en route with an engine problem, briefly forcing the German to switch to fire service after stopping the car.

At the end of the session, a marshal offered him the use of the scooter. Vettel rode it back to the pits and waved at the crowd – using both hands in places – and his crash helmet was on his head.

However, Vettel was later reported by the officials for “entering the track without permission” and then called before the sports commissioners for “unauthorized use of a scooter on the track”.

The rules state that no one may go onto the track within five minutes of the end of a session, but one of the exceptions is “riders who drive or walk after first getting permission from a marshal”.

Vettel insisted he was told he could return to the pits via the track.

“Obviously we had a problem and there was a bit of smoke and I lost power,” he said. “And we had to stop the car on the track. And I did my best to limit the damage and get him off the track as quickly as possible.

“I tried to make sure the car didn’t get further damaged. The marshal was very helpful, he had a leatherman. I asked for an Allen key then we removed part of the bodywork so I could climb underneath and cool the car. So it was a bit of work.

Marshals support Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin AMR22 after he stops in FP1

Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

“I asked, ‘Can I come back?’ as soon as I knew the car was safe so as not to catch fire again.

“But anyway, the session was over and I said, ‘Anybody coming?’ They said, ‘Yes, yes, as soon as the session is over.’ And then the guy came with a scooter and said, ‘You can jump on the back.’

“I said, ‘Can I ride it?’ Because I prefer to drive myself. And then he gave me the scooter, so I said, ‘Okay,’ and he said, ‘Let’s go.’ And I left.

“I mean, I want to get the car back and not have a problem at all. I’m not here to ride scooters.”