Sebastian Vettel launches dramatic post-race protest after controversial F1 penalty

Sebastian Vettel crossed the line first in Montreal, but it was Lewis Hamilton who stood atop the podium after a five-second penalty turned triumph into heartbreak.

With this week seeing the Canadian Grand Prix back on our screens, RacingNews365 has opted to look back on one of the most dramatic moments in the race's modern history.

Vettel had controlled the 2019 Canadian Grand Prix from pole position, fending off relentless pressure from Hamilton's Mercedes throughout. Yet on lap 48, a crucial error at the Turn 3-4 chicane would cost him everything.

Under intense pressure, Vettel lost the rear of his SF90, cutting across the grass before rejoining directly in Hamilton's path. As he fought to control the car, the Ferrari drifted towards the outside wall, squeezing Hamilton and forcing the Mercedes driver to brake sharply to avoid contact.

The stewards judged Vettel had rejoined unsafely and forced another car off track, issuing a five-second penalty that, with Hamilton finishing just 1.3 seconds behind on the road, handed victory to the Briton.

Vettel's fury was immediate and visceral. "Where was I supposed to go?" he demanded over team radio, later adding: "They are stealing the race from us."

His protest continued in parc ferme. Rather than parking his Ferrari in the designated area, Vettel stopped early and walked to the motorhome. 

When he eventually returned, he swapped the position boards, placing the number one marker in front of his empty spot and the two in front of Hamilton's Mercedes, a theatrical statement that he considered himself the rightful winner.

"I lost the rear, I went over the grass," Vettel explained afterwards. "When I came back I had dirty tyres and the car was difficult to control. Where am I supposed to go?"

Hamilton, uncomfortable with inheriting victory, acknowledged the awkwardness whilst defending the stewards' call. 

"Absolutely, it's not the way I wanted to win," he said. "When you come back on track, you're not supposed to go straight back on racing line, you're supposed to come back safely."

Ferrari later requested a review of the penalty, but it was upheld.