Red Bull boss Horner apologises to Vettel after second Kvyat clash

Kvyat ran into Vettel twice within the first three corners at Sochi, with the second impact sending the Ferrari into the barriers.

Two weeks earlier at Shanghai, Vettel had pilloried Kvyat over a first-lap incident as they waited to go onto the Chinese GP podium.

Vettel, a Red Bull driver from 2009-14, visited Horner on the Red Bull pitwall during the Sochi race to discuss what had happened.

"He said hello and made his thoughts well known," Horner said of their conversation.

"All I could do was apologise to him.

"It's cost us a lot of points and unfortunately compromised Sebastian as well. but he's a young guy, he'll learn from it and I'm sure he'll come back strong in Barcelona."

Horner said Kvyat "accepts he made a mistake".

"He has apologised to the team and I think he's apologised to Sebastian - if he's not seen him in person I'm sure he'll do it next time he sees him," he said.

Both Red Bulls picked up damage in the initial incident, as Vettel was forced into Kvyat's team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

The pair struggled home 11th and 15th, Kvyat further delayed by a penalty for hitting Vettel.

Horner did not think the added pressure of Kvyat being in his home race was a factor.

"I am sure he was pumped up for his home race but I just think it took him by surprise how quickly the cars stopped ahead of him," he said.

"He's young and it's the first time he has been involved in an incident like this and I'm sure he will learn from it."