Hungarian GP: Sebastian Vettel disqualified from race for irregular fuel levels

Sebastian Vettel loses second-place finish in Hungary after he is disqualified for not having the minimum amount of fuel at the finish.

Sebastian Vettel in a file photo. Image credit: Twitter
By Amruth Kalidas | Aug 2, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Hungarian GP was a breath-taking race. With a horribly messy start, some compelling battles and a debutant winner in the hugely likeable Esteban Ocon. Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton finished the race second and third respectively. The title race has been well and truly shaken up again. Hamilton regained the lead from Max Verstappen on another nightmare afternoon for Red Bull. The British driver leads the world championship standings by six points as we head into the summer break. That leaves fans with it all to look forward to when racing resumes.

Sebastian VETTEL DRAMA!

The surprises kept coming even after the race. Sebastian Vettel has been stripped of second place at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He was disqualified because his car did not have enough fuel to offer a sample to the FIA after the race.

The disqualification promotes Lewis Hamilton to second and Carlos Sainz to third for Ferrari.

Vettel finished second in a remarkable race at the Hungaroring. He constantly challenged first-time winner Esteban Ocon for the lead throughout. After crossing the finish line in second, Vettel parked his car on the side of the track, apparently concerned about the level of fuel in his Aston Martin.

In order to check the legality of the fuel used by teams, the FIA requires a one-litre sample from the tank after the race, but was only able to extract 0.3 litres from Vettel’s car Sunday evening.

The FIA later confirmed the lack of a one-litre fuel sample and that Vettel would be disqualified. The stewards noted that Aston Martin team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, had claimed 1.44 litres of fuel should still be in the car based on the team’s calculations of fuel use during the race.

Aston Martin has notified the FIA of its intention to appeal. They will have 96 hours to prove there is enough fuel in the car for a sample. The car has been impounded by the FIA in the meantime, which will ensure fuel is not added to its tank and the fuel system.