Vettel fined €25,000 for storming out of drivers' meeting

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Sebastian Vettel has been handed by the FIA a suspended €25,000 fine for leaving Friday evening's drivers' meeting at the Red Bull Ring early.

The Aston Martin driver was summoned to the stewards after Saturday's sprint race in Austria to answer to his behaviour at the drivers' meeting which breached two articles of the governing body's sporting code.

It is understood that tensions grew during the meeting chaired by FIA race director Niels Wittich, with grievances expressed by several drivers over the stewards' interpretation of the rules and officiating.

A frustrated Vettel then decided he had heard enough and left the meeting.

Following the hearing, the FIA issued a bulletin explaining why Vettel had contravened the sporting rules, but also why mitigating circumstances and an apology from the four-time world champion led to a suspended fine.

Read also: FIA unhappy with Vettel behaviour at drivers' meeting

"The driver, Sebastian Vettel, left the drivers' meeting that was held at 19:30 on Friday 8 July, without permission, and expressing frustration at the meeting," the FIA statement reads.

"Drivers are not free to leave when they want, this being a breach of the requirement to attend. Drivers at this level are role models for every driver around the world and in the opinion of the Stewards Vettel failed to live up to that standard in this case.

"Subsequently Vettel had a meeting with the Race Director, who informed the Stewards that Vettel apologised without reservation, and that further, they had a very constructive conversation covering the topics in the meeting and more.

"The Stewards determine that there is a breach, which cannot go without penalty, but that based on the report from the Race Director there are factors in mitigation.

"Therefore, the Stewards order a fine of €25,000, which is suspended for the remainder of the 2022 season, subject to any breach of Article 20.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations or of Article 12.2.1 f) of the International Sporting Code."

Vettel will only be required to pay the fine if he finds himself once again in breach of the rules or fails to attend a drivers' meeting during the remainder of the 2022 season.

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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.