What next after the Vettel-Hamilton tangle and spat in Baku? Debate and discussion on tonight's F1 Report at 8.30pm on Sky F1
Wednesday 28 June 2017 11:08, UK
Sebastian Vettel has dealt badly with the fallout from his "road rage" with Lewis Hamilton in Baku and should regret his actions, according to this week's F1 Report guests.
Found at fault by race stewards for "steering into" Hamilton's Mercedes behind the Safety Car, Vettel's lack of explanation or contrition in his post-race interviews surprised many.
Martin Brundle's Azerbaijan GP verdict
"What really upset me in the aftermath of all this was Seb's reaction post-race, and even during the race on the radio," says Marc Priestley on Wednesday's F1 Report at 8.30pm on Sky Sports F1.
"He didn't admit there was any fault on his part at all and I hope he has watched the incident back and he sees that he has dealt with that badly.
"That doesn't show a good Sebastian Vettel."
Vettel now has nine penalty points on his superlicence - the most of any driver - and Hamilton said of the incident that "there are kids watching us on TV and to see a multi-world champion…you would think he would behave better than that".
Jamie Chadwick, a 19-year-old driver in the BRDC British F3 championship, told the F1 Report that as a young racer she admired Vettel's passion, but still reckons he would have been wise to publicly admit some blame.
"From a young driver's point of view, I can see it from the sense of emotion and heat of the moment," said Chadwick.
"With Seb you would expect a lot more from him. I'm a massive Vettel fan and to see the emotion and how much he really cares about this championship, and how much it means to him, it's nice to see that.
"But it would have been nice to have seen a bit of ownership and afterwards hold his hands up, because ultimately as a young driver that's what I would respect."
Priestley added: "It wasn't a great example for aspiring racing drivers. It was essentially road rage and I don't think there's a place for that in Formula 1."
While widely condemned, and labelled "disrespectful" by Hamilton, the wheel-banging incident has nonetheless suddenly added tension into an already tight championship battle between F1's two most successful current drivers.
"We've got a bit of needle in the fight now," said Priestley.
"It makes it really interesting because to have that little bit of grit between the two adds a little bit of spice."
Don't miss the F1 Report: Azerbaijan GP Review on Sky Sports F1 at 8.30pm on Wednesday for the final word on the weekend's action.
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