5 Oct 2017

Vettel avoids grid penalty at Suzuka

7:56 am on 5 October 2017

Formula One title contender Sebastian Vettel has been given some good news after his Ferrari team ruled out a gearbox change that would have incurred a grid penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel celebrates Australian F1 Grand Prix win 2017.

Sebastian Vettel celebrates Australian F1 Grand Prix win 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The German, a four-time world champion, is 34 points behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton with five races remaining, including this weekend's race at Suzuka.

The gearbox scare followed a bizarre incident after last Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix when his car was hit from behind by Canadian Lance Stroll's Williams on the post-race slowing down lap.

The impact wrecked the car's rear suspension.

A change of gearbox would have meant a five place grid penalty for a race that Vettel needs to win, but Ferrari gave the all-clear after a factory inspection.

"The gearbox Sebastian used in the Malaysia Grand Prix is still available," they confirmed on Twitter .