What can Ferrari gain from review of Vettel incident?

Despite crossing the finish line first, Vettel was handed a five-second penalty after the race for illegally crossing the grass at one point, which ultimately gave the win to archrival Lewis Hamilton.

The controversial ruling gave Hamilton his fifth victory of the season, which puts him 29 points ahead of Valtteri Bottas and 62 in front of Vettel. That said, Hamilton and Mercedes are reportedly concerned about a challenge from Vettel as the season progresses.

Just about all F1 betting sites have Hamilton listed as the favourite to win the upcoming French Grand Prix, with Valtteri Bottas and Vettel not far behind.

Ferrari wants the FIA to conduct a full review of the incident, which took place during the 48th lap of the race. The FIA rules dictate that the decision may not be formally appealed, competitors do still have the option to review decisions after an event has concluded. If new evidence on the matter is available, a review is allowed by the rules.

Article 14.1.1 of the rulebook says that if “a significant and relevant new element is discovered which was unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the competition concerned,” people are given the opportunity to take another look at the matter.

Ferrari faced a Sunday deadline in order to formally file their request, and they confirmed Monday that they had done just that. However, there are no details on the potential new evidence Ferrari claims to have.

The FIA will likely take a look at the incident once again during the weekend of the French GP, which takes place on June 23. The FIA’s first decision will be whether any new evidence is admissible.

If they do believe the new information is important, the FIA will subsequently listen to arguments from Ferrari that the choice to punish Vettel was the incorrect one. Ferrari has maintained that Vettel did not break any rules during the race in Montreal.

The FIA does have the ability to appoint new stewards if those that oversaw the Canadian Grand Prix are unavailable.

Of Vettel and Ferrari’s showing that weekend, Hamilton said, “They were so quick on the straights. They definitely have another power mode that we currently don’t have. So, all of a sudden they turn up the power and he pulls away massively on the straight, even I have DRS open.”

The Mercedes driver is clearly worried that Ferrari just have more power in the engine than Mercedes at this point. He added, “It’s not an assumption, you’ve seen in qualifying the three tenths or six tenths whatever it is on the straights they’re able to pull up."

"And in the race, I know that all of a sudden they pick up the pace on the straights. That’s the name of the game," added the reigning F1 World Champion.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2019/06/17/ferrari-request-review-of-vettels-canadian-grand-prix-penalty/