F1's Vettel says Rossi did "the right thing" in Marquez MotoGP spat
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel has backed Valentino Rossi in his MotoGP clash with Marc Marquez, saying the Italian "did the absolute right thing"
Rossi, who tested Ferrari F1 cars last decade, collided with reigning world champion Marquez during last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, and will start the Valencia finale from the back of the grid.
It heightened a row between the pair that had erupted days earlier, when Rossi accused Marquez of "thinking like a child" and aiming to help countryman Jorge Lorenzo win the title.
"I think he still has the chance, he's a fighter, it's in his nature," Vettel said when asked about Rossi.
"Even if after the [Malaysian] race it sounded like he was giving up, he will be fighting and giving everything he has and I think he did the absolute right thing in Malaysia.
"I know Jorge as well and Marc a little bit, and they are very good guys but Valentino did the right thing."
MASSA: ROSSI MADE A MISTAKE
Vettel's interpretation of the event is not shared by Williams driver Felipe Massa, who believes blame falls squarely at the feet of the Italian rider.
"To be honest, I am a big fan of Valentino, but he made a mistake," Massa said.
"Looking at the other [rider], waiting to do the corner and then suddenly his feet just move over, even if the other one touches his feet first...
"To be honest, he made a mistake."
Massa says Rossi's hopes of still winning the title are better in MotoGP than they would be in car racing.
"It's much easier to start last in the bikes than in a car, especially as they start three in the same row," he said.
"Plus, they have just four bikes that are really better than the others, so I think it is very easy for him to arrive fourth.
"The only thing is that we need to see if Lorenzo will win or not. I think he still can fight."
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