Vettel apologises, will face no further action

Sebastian Vettel has apologised for swerving his Ferrari into Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The German issued a public apology for putting Hamilton into "a dangerous situation" during the race in Baku on 25 June.

The four-time world champion accelerated into the back of Hamilton's Mercedes following the second deployment of the safety car, then seemed to veer his Ferrari into the side of the Briton's car.

Afterwards, Vettel accused Hamilton of"'brake-testing", or deliberately slowing in front of him, as the drivers prepared for the race's restart.

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, held a meeting with Vettel and Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene in Paris on Monday to discuss the incident.

The 29-year-old apologised to the FIA in private, before making a public apology for his "over-reaction" and absolving Hamilton of any blame for the incident.

"During the restart lap, I got surprised by Lewis and ran into the back of his car," Vettel wrote on his website.

"With hindsight, I don't believe he had any bad intentions.

"In the heat of the action I then over-reacted, and therefore I want to apologise to Lewis directly, as well as to all the people who were watching the race. I realise that I was not setting a good example.

"I had no intention at any time to put Lewis in danger, but I understand that I caused a dangerous situation.

"Therefore, I would like to apologise to the FIA. I accept and respect the decisions that were taken at today's meeting in Paris, as well as the penalty imposed by the stewards in Baku.

"I love this sport and I am determined to represent it in a way that can be an example for future generations."

Following the apology, FIA president Jean Todt ruled that "on this occasion the matter should be closed", but Vettel could still face a suspension for any further misdemeanour at this weekend's Austrian GP.

The drivers' championship leader has nine points on his licence, and a further three points would see him slapped with an automatic ban. 

Image: Getty Images/ Mark Thomson

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