A furious Sebastian Vettel told Formula One race director Charlie Whiting to “f*** off” as the four-time champion dramatically lost his cool as he clashed with Max Verstappen at the end of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Verstappen, 19, ran off the track at turn one as he defended third position from Vettel in the closing stages of Sunday’s race.
But instead of conceding the position to Vettel when he rejoined the circuit, Verstappen, who has attracted criticism for his defensive tactics this season, stayed in front of the four-time champion.
Sebastian Vettel #MexicoGP Greatest Hits pic.twitter.com/Nx0IYl06uT
— Kushtrim Xhakli (@xhakli) October 30, 2016
And while using coarse language to describe Verstappen, Vettel also hit out at Whiting, the Englishman who has been the sport’s race director for nearly 20 years.
“He [Verstappen] is a ****,” Vettel yelled over the team radio. “Am I the only one, or are you not seeing what I’m seeing? He’s just backing me off into [Daniel] Ricciardo.
“Move, move for f***’s sake. He cut the chicane. He has to give me the position. End of the story.”
“Charlie said that,” was the message to Vettel from the Ferrari pit wall. Vettel replied: “Yeah? Here’s a message to Charlie: f*** off. Honestly, f*** off.”
Little wave of the finger at @Max33Verstappen from Seb. #MexicoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/pHH0SrMD1j
— #Seb5 (@AllthingsVETTEL) October 30, 2016
Vettel drew alongside Verstappen at the chequered flag, wagging his finger at the Dutchman. Verstappen was later handed a five-second penalty for the incident which promoted Vettel to third and Daniel Ricciardo to fourth.
“Obviously I was very emotional, and I have already asked to go and see Charlie,” Vettel subsequently added. “It is not right what Max did. But I was getting upset and the adrenalin was flowing.”
Verstappen was preparing for the podium on Sunday when he was informed on his penalty.
“When I came back on track I was the same length in front so I think it’s ridiculous,” Verstappen told Sky Sports when quizzed about his post-race punishment.
“He [Vettel] is shouting and l don’t know how many times he is using very bad language. I think he needs to go back to school.
“It’s just ridiculous. I will speak to him. He is always frustrated. He is just a very frustrated guy.”
