NASCAR Sprint Cup - Racing

Ferrari drops appeal after FIA explanation

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Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, of Spain, gestures at the end of the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, of Germany, finished sixth to clinch his third straight Formula One championship title on Sunday. Vettel did what he needed to hold off Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, the only other driver contending for the title. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

MARANELLO, Italy (AP) Ferrari says it has dropped its plans to make an appeal against F1 champion Sebastian Vettel's passing maneuver at the Brazilian Grand Prix after receiving clarification from Formula One's governing body on Friday morning.

Ferrari says it "duly takes note of the reply sent by the FIA this morning and therefore considers the matter now closed."

Ferrari was considering an appeal after video footage from Sunday's Brazilian GP appeared to show that Vettel passed Jean-Eric Vergne while a yellow caution light was on.

Ferrari says it felt "the need to shed light on the circumstances of the move" and that "the letter to the FIA was in no way intended to undermine the legality of the race result."

Updated November 30, 2012

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