Vettel suffers DNF at US GP with broken suspension

Mark Scott 03 Nov 2019 9:39 PM

Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel suffered a wretched start to the United States Grand Prix which resulted in becoming the first retirement of the race.

Vettel, who started on the front row alongside pole sitter Valtteri Bottas, was soon heading in the wrong direction as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc all found a way past him on the opening lap.

So too did McLaren’s Lando Norris as it became apparent that Vettel had picked up damage during the opening lap. Next to breeze through on the second lap was the Renault of Daniel Ricciardo

Then, cut adrift of the leading pack, Vettel’s race then suddenly came to an abrupt end on Lap 8 when his suspension failed coming through the downhill Turn 9.

“I think the suspension just failed. Yeah, failed. I think we’re out,” Vettel said before coming to a stop at the nearest run-off area.

This could have possibly been the culprit to end more damage to what was already a broken car.

There's a new sausage kerb at the apex of turn 8 to catch anyone out running off track #USGP pic.twitter.com/TrnTDSRmMU

— 3Legs4Wheels (@3Legs4Wheels) November 3, 2019

As a result of Vettel’s retirement, Ferrari warned his team-mate Leclerc to take some evasive action.

“Try to avoid the apex kerb at Turn 8,” Ferrari warned Leclerc. “Why?” he replied. “Because Sebastian has had a suspension failure,” came the reply.

It is Vettel’s first ever retirement at the United States Grand Prix and he remains on 230 World Championship points with two races left in the 2019 season.