Vettel risks grid penalty after national anthem breach!

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Sebastian Vettel has another problem to worry about after he was reprimanded for not attending the national anthem proceedings before the start of the Japanese GP.

As panicked struck the Ferrari camp on the grid following a sudden engine issue, Vettel chose to remain with his team rather than join the drivers at the front for the traditional national anthem ceremony.

The decision prompted an investigation by the stewards who concluded that the Ferrari driver's absence at the front was a clear breach of the sporting rules.

Vettel was subsequently handed a reprimand which, added to a previous driving infringement received at Monaco earlier this year, puts him at risk of a grid penalty if he is hit with a third reprimand in the next four races.

Vettel title hopes dealt major blow in Japan!

Article 18.2 of F1’s Sporting Regulations states the following:

"Any driver who receives three reprimands in the same championship season will, upon the imposition of the third, be given a ten grid place penalty at that Event.

"If the third reprimand is imposed following an Incident during a race the ten grid place penalty will be applied at the driver’s next Event.

"The ten grid place penalty will only be imposed if at least two of the reprimands were imposed for a driving infringement."

Sebastian Vettel's propensity to complicate matters for himself continues...

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.