Vergne penalised for causing a collision

Toro Rosso Formula One driver Jean-Eric Vergne of France talks to media after the qualifying session was halted in the first phase, during the qualifying session of the Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit October 12, 2013. REUTERS/Issei Kato

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne was handed a 20-second post-race penalty for colliding with Mexican Esteban Gutierrez on the final lap of the U.S. Grand Prix on Sunday, dropping the Frenchman from 12th to 16th place. The drive through penalty was imposed after the finish of the race won by Red Bull's quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel. Sauber's Gutierrez was classified 13th.