• Singapore Grand Prix

Webber penalised 20 seconds for Kobayashi incident

Mark Webber ran over the kerb and off track on the exit of turn seven © Sutton Images

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• Report:
• Vettel wins in Singapore after Hamilton retires
  

• Race:
• Singapore Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Mark Webber

• Teams:
• Red Bull

Mark Webber has been handed a 20-second time penalty after the Singapore Grand Prix for gaining an illegal advantage when overtaking Kamui Kobayashi.

Webber went round the outside of Kobayashi in to turn seven late in the race, but with the Sauber defending the inside line Webber ran wide over the kerb and had all four wheels off the track on exit to complete the move. The stewards investigated the incident after the race and decided that Webber had gained an unfair advantage by leaving the circuit.

The punishment is a retrospective drive-through penalty, with the stewards' explaining: "Notwithstanding that the distance by which car 2 left the circuit was minimal, advantage was gained hence a breach did in fact occur."

As a result of the 20 seconds being added to his time, Webber drops one place from 10th to 11th, with Sergio Perez moving up in to the final points position. It's the second time that a Red Bull has fallen foul of such an incident this season, with Sebastian Vettel dropping from 2nd to 5th having been handed the same penalty for overtaking Jenson Button of the track at Hockenheim.

Speaking before the penalty was handed out, Webber felt there had been nothing wrong with the battle: "We were racing pretty hard and fair I think but we used all we could down there so I think it was a good clean fight."

Webber added that his race had been ruined by the timing of the safety car.

"I wasn't too bad pace wise," Webber said. "The strategy was going alright, but the second safety car really hurt us and put us to the back of the queue. Around here, fighting and looking after your tyres is a bit of a mess. It's a shame. Sebastian got some good points for the team, so that's good and I'm just looking forward now to the next few races just trying to break this mini poor run we're having. I like Suzuka, so I'm looking forward to that."

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