Red Bull ace Max Verstappen has labelled the penalty that cost him a podium finish at the Mexican Grand Prix as “ridiculous”, while also branding Sebastian Vettel “a very frustrated guy” in light of the Ferrari driver’s rant over the radio.
Verstappen held third for nearly the entire race before locking up at Turn One and cutting through the grass under Vettel’s pressure with three laps to go.
Although Red Bull advised him to yield the position, the 19-year-old refused to move over and went on to cross the line in third, only to be handed a five-second time penalty that pushed him back to P5.
Verstappen was clearly not impressed with the demotion, referring to a similar incident with second-placed Nico Rosberg at the start where no further action had been taken following the stewards’ review.
“We touched and [Rosberg] gained an advantage. I did not gain any advantage. I was still ahead [of Vettel] under braking and when I got back on the track, I was the same length in front.
“I think it was ridiculous. If they don’t give a penalty for [Rosberg], then they don’t give me a penalty at the end of the race.”
Talking about Vettel’s behaviour, Verstappen added: “He is shouting on the radio. I don’t know how many times he’s using a very bad language in general. I think he has to go back to school.
“I will speak to him because this is ridiculous the way he is handling [things]. He is always so frustrated, all weekend. He is shouting on the radio. In the end, he is just a very frustrated guy at the moment.”
Vettel also came under fire from Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian tried to overtake the Ferrari driver, only for Vettel to move to defend his position under braking.
Verstappen, who has been called out for similar reasons this season, caught the action on his rear view mirrors.
“At least I can do it in a good way. [Seb] does not know how to do it. Daniel was alongside him and he just turned into him and they touched.”
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