Vettel's Behaviour "Unworthy of a Four-Time Champion", Says Former Mentor Marko

Sebastian Vettel's former Red Bull mentor Helmut Marko says the German's behaviour during the Mexican Grand Prix was "unworthy of a four-time world champion".

Vettel raged on the radio in the final laps of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez race after Max Verstappen straightlined Turn 1 ahead of him while defending third and refused to give up position.

While Verstappen would be penalised post-race, with Vettel promoted to the podium, it was not before the German insulted both the Dutchman and F1 race director Charlie Whiting on team radio.

Team advisor Marko, who oversaw Vettel's years with Red Bull, said: "The situation is unworthy of a four-time world champion.

"His choice of words certainly wasn't first class."

Vettel went to see Whiting about his comments in the post-race press conference, but refused to discuss the meeting in detail.

"I don't understand why you're making a fuss and asking the question," Vettel told Sky Sports.

"For sure it's not the right thing to say. Equally, in my defense, emotions and adrenaline are pumping high. I don't understand why you're trying to push me in a corner and make me answer something [that] then you try and make another loop.

"Out of respect I went to him and told him what I did. I think he's aware, and that's it."

Asked what Whiting had told him, Vettel said: "It's none of your business."

Commenting further on the race, Red Bull's Marko said that Verstappen enjoyed the team's full support, and questioned the penalty assessed against the Dutchman.

"We support him. The decision is not understandable. They use different standards and this is not okay."

Marko also said that Vettel had overstepped the line in defending from Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo after his Verstappen run-in.

""I've never seen such a huge line change as when Vettel moved over to Ricciardo and pushed him off the track, leaving him no space at all.

"Vettel completely turns in on him. This is exactly what the anti-Verstappen rule should forbid you to do. There is politics involved that I cannot comprehend. We just hope for a fair decision and we don't protest."

Vettel's move against Ricciardo is still under investigation, with parties involved having been summoned to the stewards.

Additional reporting by Andrew van Leeuwen and Stefan Ehlen

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