Vettel and Hamilton escape Japan penalties

Lewis Hamilton has escaped penalty after FIA stewards probed his alleged erratic driving whilst leading the field behind the safety car at Fuji Speedway a week ago.

After hours of deliberation, stewards ruled that the 22-year-old championship leader, who earlier on Friday issued a veiled threat to quit formula one over the controversy, was not to blame for the collision between Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

In the light of amateur video footage that was posted on YouTube, the Briton had been facing a ten-position grid penalty for Sunday's Chinese grand prix, or even a points deduction.

Toro Rosso's Vettel, however, has had his ten-position penalty reduced to a formal reprimand, the stewards said.

But regarding Hamilton's part in the collision, "no penalty is imposed on him", their statement issued in Shanghai read.