Sebastian Vettel was hit with a €25,000 (£21,000) suspended fine after storming out of an F1 drivers’ meeting ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix but Mick Schumacher has his fellow driver’s back.
“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,” an F1 statement read.
“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.”
Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz later revealed that Vettel was left frustrated by the meeting going nowhere and Schumacher admitted he ‘fully understands’ why Vettel walked, saying: “I just felt like we were going in circles with some of the things that were discussed .
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“Obviously Seb was a little frustrated with the back and forth. He obviously felt quite strongly about it.”
As Vettel’s fine is suspended, he will not have to pay it unless he commits a similar offense during the current F1 season. Most recently, the 35-year-old was fined €5,000 (£4,200) in April for riding a scooter on track at the Australian Grand Prix after his car’s engine failed during practice.
