Vettel's dramatic protest after controversial Canadian GP penalty revisited

Sebastian Vettel crossed the line first in Montreal, but it was Lewis Hamilton who stood atop the podium after a five-second penalty turned triumph into heartbreak.

With this week seeing the Canadian Grand Prix return to the calendar, we look back at one of the most dramatic moments in the race's modern history.

Why it matters:

The 2019 Canadian GP became a flashpoint for debates over penalty consistency and driver frustration. Vettel's visible anger and symbolic protest highlighted the emotional toll of contentious stewarding decisions, a topic that continues to resonate in F1 today.

The details:

• Vettel controlled the race from pole, fending off Hamilton's Mercedes. On lap 48, he lost the rear of his SF90 at Turn 3-4, cutting across the grass and rejoining directly in Hamilton's path.
• The Ferrari drifted towards the wall, forcing Hamilton to brake sharply. The stewards ruled Vettel rejoined unsafely and forced another car off track, issuing a five-second penalty.
• Hamilton crossed the line just 1.3 seconds behind on the road, meaning the penalty handed him victory.
• Vettel's immediate radio response: "Where was I supposed to go?" He later added: "They are stealing the race from us."
• In parc ferme, Vettel stopped early and walked away. When he returned, he swapped the position boards, placing the number one marker in front of his empty spot – a clear statement that he considered himself the rightful winner.
• Hamilton acknowledged the awkwardness: "It's not the way I wanted to win," while defending the stewards' call.
• Ferrari requested a review of the penalty, but it was upheld.

Between the lines:

Vettel's theatrical board swap was a rare public outburst from a usually composed four-time champion. The incident underscored growing friction between Ferrari and race officials, and remains a reference point for debates about driver discretion versus strict rule application.