Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Verstappen calls Vettel's behaviour 'ridiculous' in Mexican GP

Max Verstappen labelled Sebastian Vettel's behaviour "ridiculous" as the Ferrari driver blocked Daniel Ricciardo and swore angrily over the radio during the closing laps of the Mexican Grand Prix

Vettel was furious that Verstappen did not concede third position after locking up and taking to the grass at Turn 1 while defending the place with three laps to go.

The German criticised Verstappen, then turned his fury onto Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting, saying: "Here's a message for Charlie - Fuck off! Fuck off!"

He also exchanged hand gestures with Verstappen after the chequered flag, waving a finger at the Red Bull driver, who responded with a wave of his own.

UPDATE: Vettel loses podium with penalty

"I don't know how many times he is using very bad language in general," Verstappen told Sky Sports.

"I think he has to go back to school or something to get some language.

"I will speak to him because this is just ridiculous the way he is handling it.

"He's always so frustrated, the whole weekend, he's shouting on the radio.

"In the end, he's just a very frustrated guy at the moment."

The stewards handed a Verstappen a five-second time penalty after the chequered flag, enough to drop him to fifth, meaning he had to leave the cool-down room as he prepared to visit the podium.

Verstappen disagreed with the decision, which meant Vettel was promoted to third, citing Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg running over the grass at Turn 1 at the start and not picking up a penalty.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "It is pretty similar to what happened on lap one, corner one, where Lewis ran off, he gained a massive advantage.

"Nico also went off in Turn 1 when we touched, and he also gained advantage.

"OK, if they don't give a penalty for that, don't give me a penalty at the end of the race.

"I didn't even gain an advantage, I was still ahead on braking and when I came back on the track, I was the same length in front."

Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo accused Vettel of moving under braking in defence of fourth, something Verstappen has been criticised for previously.

When asked how he saw the incident, Verstappen said: "I saw the footage already. At least I can do it in a good way - he [Vettel] doesn't know how to do it because it's ridiculous what he did.

"Daniel is alongside him and he just turned into him, they touched, and he starts shouting on the radio."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Daniel Ricciardo: Hamilton and Vettel deserve F1 penalties in Mexico
Next article Hamilton thought he would crash after going off at Turn 1 in Mexico

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe