Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel went out of his way to apologise to Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting, after ranting over the Ferrari team radio and telling him to “f*ck off” twice, but the FIA is investigating the incident amid calls for the sport’s governing body to act.
Whiting told the Daily Mail on his way home from Mexico, “[Vettel] did say sorry. He was quite robust about finding me and apologising. Given he has done that I’m not too hung up on it personally, but it remains to be seen how my boss may wish to pursue the matter.”
FIA president Jean Todt was also contacted by the newspaper, and he said, “We have people assembling evidence about the incident. Then we have to see if any action has to be taken or not.”
The expletive laden rant spewed by the four times world champion late in the Mexican Grand Prix is unprecedented in the sport at any level.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Vettel’s former boss, believes that something has to be done, “There is always going to be emotion from the driver in the heat of the moment. But in any sport, you can’t abuse the referee essentially, so I would be surprised if that went unreprimanded.”
Rant transcript:
Vettel: “Move, move for f*ck sake. He’s a [little f*cker], that’s what he is. I mean, am I the only one or are you not seeing what I’m seeing!? He’s just backing me off into Ricciardo.”
A minute or so later
Vettel: “Honestly, I’m going to hit someone I think I have a puncture, rear left.”
Race engineer Riccardo Adami: “The tyres are fine, tyres are fine.”
After crossing the finish line the tirade continued
Adami: “Charlie said….”
Vettel: “You know what, here’s the message to Charlie: f*ck off! Honestly f*ck off.”
Vettel: “He has to give me the position. End of the story.”
Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene: “Sebastian, calm down, calm down. They are under investigation. I know that it is not fair but calm down. Put your head down and we talk afterwards.”
Vettel: “OK, copy Maurizio.”
Read the full story at GRAND PRIX 247
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