Vettel was not only temporarily disqualified after his second place, but also cautioned for his action before the race.
Sebastian Vettel achieved the devastating certainty after arriving by plane from Budapest to Zurich. His Aston Martin was sealed in the paddock on the Hungaroring, in the midst of forklifts and hard-working team members. He himself, the four-time world champion, was removed from the results lists of the Hungarian Grand Prix over five hours after the end of the race. Vettel now has almost four weeks to deal with frustration.
Before the plane took off, Vettel also read the first reports that his second place behind sensational winner Esteban Ocon was in danger. He already had a queasy feeling. Just like the whole day in Budapest was one between joy, frustration, enthusiasm and sadness. Vettel was cautioned for his rainbow T-shirt campaign with the inscription “Same Love” on the Hungarian anthem. This can have consequences up to a starting place penalty. Statements yes, but only within the framework that Formula 1 is comfortable with. Somebody like Vettel is not at all comfortable with that.
Race director Michael Masi stated that the host nation's anthem should be respected by having drivers wear their racing suits. Like superstar Lewis Hamilton, the German had already taken a clear position days before the planned referendum against the rights of non-heterosexual people (LGBTQ) in Hungary.
Then Vettel's missed first win in the Aston Martin, also a bit annoying. Two hours before midnight the frustration was sealed. Instead of 1.0, the inspectors could only find 0.3 liters of fuel in the tank. Vettel's racing team immediately submitted a declaration of intent to protest against the disqualification. “A GP that never ends,” wrote the Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport . There was initially no comment from Vettel.
The X sign
9,000 kilometers further east: When the medalists posed for photos in Tokyo on Sunday, Raven Saunders raised her arms and crossed them in an X-shape over her head. With the X-gesture, the 25-year-old American, who came second in the shot put, wanted to show solidarity for the rights of “oppressed people”, Saunders said afterwards. The X is the intersection where all oppressed people meet.
The IOC was investigating the incident yesterday. The controversial rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which forbids any “political, religious or racist demonstration”, has been relaxed. But: Political protests at award ceremonies are still prohibited. Saunders is the queerest ambassador for Olympia. “There are so many people who fight for it, but have no voice or platform to be heard. I did my best to get out of here with a medal for the people of the LGBTQ movement, for black people, for people with mental health problems. I want to give them hope and inspire them. “
