Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel was fined 25,000 euros ($25,457) on probation on Saturday for leaving a drivers’ briefing for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Stewards said in a statement that the Aston Martin driver left without permission after “expressing frustration at the meeting”.
“Drivers cannot drive freely when they want, this is a violation of the attendance requirement,” they added.
“Drivers at this level are role models for every driver around the world and in the opinion of the stewards, Vettel has not lived up to that claim in this case.”
The stewards noted that the 35-year-old then met with the race director, who, according to Vettel, apologized unreservedly and then had “a very constructive conversation about the topics of the meeting”.
The fine was suspended for the remainder of the season, subject to a further violation of sporting regulations or international sporting law.
The summons came after Saturday’s sprint race, which sets the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix and also awards points to the top eight. Vettel started last for Aston Martin.
The German, who retired from the sprint after colliding with Williams’ Alex Albon, was classified 19th after Alpine’s Fernando Alonso did not start.
Six other drivers were summoned by message on the second formation lap for suspected violations of the starting order.
They were Mexican Sergio Perez, Mercedes’ George Russell, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Haas’ Mick Schumacher, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll.
($1 = 0.9820 euros)