FEBRUARY 17, 2014

FIA legalises donuts for F1 winners

Post-race celebratory 'donuts' have been legalised by F1's governing body.

Sebastian Vettel was given an official reprimand by the FIA after crossing the line in India to become world champion for the fourth time last season.

"Are you serious?" Lewis Hamilton said when told of Vettel's penalty. "That's crazy!"

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agreed that race stewards "need to be empowered to give a little more leniency in extraordinary circumstances".

That is exactly what has happened.

As confirmed in the latest draft of the 2014 sporting regulations, race winners will from now on be exempt from having to drive straight to parc ferme.

Now, they are allowed to "perform an act of celebration" after crossing the finish line, provided the act is "performed safely" and "does not delay the podium ceremony".

(GMM)