> Vettel to drop 10 places at Chinese GP. EDIT: Penalty annulled

Sebastian Vettel will be docked 10 grid places at next weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix as penance for crashing into Mark Webber under safety car conditions at Fuji on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Toro Rosso driver blew his chances of a stellar result by clouting Webber’s sister Red Bull Racing car during the race’s second safety car period while running in third place.

After investigating the incident the stewards ruled that Vettel had breached Article 16.1 of Formula 1’s sporting regulations by causing the collision.

As a result the German will be demoted 10 grid places in Shanghai, which in normal circumstances will relegate him to the back of the field.

Vettel accepted responsibility for the collision and apologised to Webber, explaining that he had been distracted by leader Lewis Hamilton slowing in front of him.

“In the end we cannot rewind [the race],” he told ITV Sport’s Louise Goodman.

“It’s a shame because it was a fantastic race until that stage and it was very good for the team and for me.

“Of course I am disappointed with myself.”

Source: itv-f1