Vettel confronts Kvyat over 'suicidal' driving at Chinese GP

Sebastian Vettel was left furious with Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat over the clash between them and Vettel's Ferrari Formula 1 team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at the Chinese Grand Prix's first corner

Vettel confronts Kvyat over 'suicidal' driving at Chinese GP

Raikkonen had slid wide into Turn 1 and was then wheel-to-wheel with Vettel when Kvyat came down the inside too.

Vettel took avoiding action and hit Raikkonen, delaying both and causing sufficient damage to the Finn's car to force him to pit.

The German described Kvyat as "a madman" and his move as "suicidal" over team radio, and then erupted at his Red Bull replacement when Kvyat asked about the start in the drivers' room on the way to the podium.

"You ask what happened at the start? If I didn't go to the left, you'd have crashed into us and we'd all three go out," Vettel raged.

"You came like a torpedo."

When Kvyat retorted that he "was racing", Vettel replied: "If I'd kept going on the same line, we'd have crashed."

The argument concluded with Vettel declaring "you were lucky this time" to Kvyat.

In the podium interviews, Vettel admitted it was particularly frustrating because the consequence of the incident had been contact between the two Ferraris.

Vettel recovered to second, passing Kvyat in the final stint, with Raikkonen ending up fifth.

"It's a shame because you don't want the same colour cars touching," said Vettel.

"In the end we were lucky because I could continue, he could continue, but surely not the best result for the team so I'm very sorry for that."

Kvyat remained unrepentant.

"You see a gap, you go for it," he said.

"Yeah, it was a risky move, I agree with Seb, but this kind of move can bring you podiums.

"He's on the podium, I'm on the podium, it's fine.

"I will keep on risking like this, and I hope he respects that."

VETTEL AND KVYAT'S ROW IN FULL

(Kvyat asks Vettel about the start)

Sebastian Vettel: You ask what happened at the start? If I didn't go the left you'd crash into us and we'd all three go out!

Daniil Kvyat: Well...

SV: No, no 'well!' You came like a torpedo!

DK: Well that's racing.

SV: If I keep going the same line then I crash.

DK: Then don't keep going...

SV: But there was a car on the left also, that's why I hit the other car.

DK: I couldn't see all the three cars man, come on. I have only two eyes.

SV: You'll crash driving like that.

DK: But we didn't, so...

SV: Yeah, you didn't! I know it's racing but...you need to expect that when you're packed up it's crazy. You were lucky this time.

DK: Well I'm on the podium, you're on the podium. It's fine.

shares
comments

Nico Rosberg wins again in wild Chinese Grand Prix

Speed not strategy was McLaren's problem at Chinese GP says Alonso

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side

How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side

Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself

Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jonathan Noble

Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself