Sebastian Vettel can't understand fuss over Mexican GP F1 radio anger

The German was livid when Max Verstappen refused to give up third place, having locked up and cut across the grass at Turn 1 as Vettel pressured him in the closing stages.

As well as criticising Verstappen heavily, Vettel also slammed FIA Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting when a penalty was not immediately awarded, saying: "Here is a message for Charlie: Fuck off! Fuck off!"

UPDATE: Vettel loses podium with penalty

Vettel was ordered to calm down by team principal Maurizio Arrivabene during the race, and afterwards he went to speak to Whiting to clear the air.

When asked by TV crews if he would be surprised to hear a disrepute charge for his comments, Vettel said: "I went immediately to see him [Whiting].

"I don't understand why you are making a fuss and why you are asking the question.

"It was not the right thing to say, equally in my defence emotions and adrenaline is pumping high so I don't understand why you are trying to push me in a corner and make me answer something that then you try to make into another loop.

"Out of respect I went to him and told him what I did. He is aware, and that's it."

When asked how Whiting responded, Vettel added: "That is none of your business."

The stewards handed a Verstappen a five-second penalty after the chequered flag, enough to drop him to fifth with Vettel promoted for third in time to make the podium ceremony.

Verstappen disagreed with the penalty and described Vettel's behaviour as "ridiculous".

But Vettel said: "I was quicker, I was closing the gap, got into DRS, put him under a lot of pressure, he made a mistake.

"It was clear that he should have moved [over]. He didn't move."

That squabble allowed Daniel Ricciardo to catch the pair, with the Australian calling for Vettel to be penalised for moving under braking as Ricciardo tried to overtake at Turn 4.

"I knew that when I saw my exit out of Turn 3, which wasn't great as I was fighting Max into the first two corners...so I knew it would be tight with Daniel," said Vettel.

"I know Daniel in these situations, he's jumping into the gap even if he doesn't make the rest of the corner.

"I knew the situation in my head, the situation in Barcelona came up where he dived down the inside at the last minute and I gave him enough room, but he didn't make the first corner.

"Today is not Barcelona, he was upset about it. He told me to look at it again and I will do that.

"I think I gave him just enough room, it was very late and both of us just about made the corner."