FIA has an explanation for Ferrari in passing case

ROME (AP) - Formula One's governing body says it will explain to Ferrari why it did not penalize Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel for an overtaking maneuver in the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

FIA believes there is no case to answer as Ferrari weighs an appeal that, if successful, would strip Vettel of the F1 title and give it to Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.

Video footage from Sunday's Brazilian GP appears to show Vettel passing Jean-Eric Vergne's Toro Rosso's while a yellow caution light was on.

If a rules breach is proven, Vettel could be hit with a 20-second penalty, which would move him from sixth place to eighth in the race and give Alonso the F1 title by one point.

But FIA spokesman Norman Howell tells The Associated Press "the incident wasn't reported to stewards in the first place because it didn't seem like there was a need to report it at the time.''

Howell says "now that Ferrari has sent us a letter asking for an explanation we will give it to them.''