FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Vettel could ignore livery change ban

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he might ignore F1's new ban on helmet livery changes.

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he might ignore F1's new ban on helmet livery changes.

Reports have indicated the German has made about 60 livery changes since debuting in formula one.

But it has also been a growing trend among Vettel's peers as well, moving Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt to clamp down on the practice and limit each driver to a single design for the entire season from 2015.

"I was going to do it a little less this year anyway," international media reports quote Vettel, who has switched from Red Bull to Ferrari, as saying.

So far in 2015, the 27-year-old - who admitted to causing his spin in the new SF15-T on Saturday - has worn a mainly white design with a German tricolour.

It is not yet clear what penalties await those who infringe the new ban.

"In these difficult times," Vettel said, "this (livery ban) seems to be the only thing they can agree on.

"I don't know what the punishment will be," he added, "but if it is only a small fine for charitable purposes, then I will gladly change my helmet again."

(GMM)