Sebastian Vettel lashed out at the decision to hand him a three-place grid penalty for speeding under red flags during practice for the United States Grand Prix, branding the stewards' decision as lacking in "common sense" as his last title hopes fade away.

Vettel must avoid being outscored by eight points by Lewis Hamilton to prevent the Mercedes man from being crowned champion at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, but he will go about it from fourth on the grid at best.

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The German was penalised for speeding when FP1 was curtailed by Charles Leclerc spilling gravel on the track after an excursion beyond track limits between turns eight and nine at the Circuit of the Americas.

Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon have been given identical punishments for the same infraction already this year and the stewards' report read: "Breach of this regulation is seen to be an extremely serious matter."

Speaking before the sanction had been officially announced, Vettel told Sky Sports: "They were very specific, saying that I took 27.7 seconds to slow down.

"I saw the red flag, I slowed down, had a look around where the car was potentially stuck in the wall or if there was one around turn nine and 10 and then slowed down significantly to comply with the rules.

"They found it took too long and I think it's pretty straightforward. I don't know, on top there might have been an issue with the timing system. Obviously, I was aware - I slowed down.

"I think there should be common sense with the rules that we have. I think lining out 27.7 seconds precisely as an act of not complying with the rules is wrong.

"I slowed down. I had a good look around what's going on.

"The rules are clear as well so we know, but I think it's the first time we had this in the wet.

"In the wet the target is a lot slower, so literally I have to stop to 40/50 kph to bring down the delta - which probably I should do next time. In my opinion, it's not the right thing [to do]. If there's a car right behind you, it could run into you but you won't get the penalty."

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