Whiting: There was a green flag

Editor 01 Dec 2012 5:37 AM

Sebastian Vettel will retain his World title after F1 race director Charlie Whiting confirmed his overtake on Jean-Eric Vergne in Brazil was legal…

Sebastian Vettel will retain his World title after F1 race director Charlie Whiting confirmed his overtake on Jean-Eric Vergne in Brazil was legal.

Racing for position on lap four of the title-decider, the Red Bull driver overtook the Toro Rosso before passing the first green light board in what had been a yellow zone.

This prompted an investigation from Ferrari, who lost the World Championship to the German by three points, who have written to the FIA asking for clarification on the incident.

However, it appears as if the Scuderia will be disappointed by the outcome as footage shows a marshal waving a green flag on Vettel’s left before he completes the manoeuvre.

Whiting told Auto Motor und Sport: “If the lights are not installed at a flag post the driver responds to the first signal that is shown.

“In Vettel’s case, between the last yellow light and the green light there was a green flag being waved.

“The distance is 350 metres here. Vettel responded to the flag and did
everything right.”