Vettel responds to Verstappen and says "we've nothing to be ashamed of"
Monday 5 September 2016 09:10, UK
Sebastian Vettel has apologised to Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for triggering their first-corner crash with Max Verstappen in the Belgian GP.
The accident occurred when Vettel, running on the outside, squeezed Raikkonen who was sandwiched between the German and Verstappen's Red Bull. As the young Dutchman attacked, the three collided, wrecking each of their races.
"Sebastian has apologised, I said 'OK' and we move on," said Raikkonen.
But Vettel has suggested that Verstappen was also culpable after diving up the inside following a poor start from second on the grid.
"It's clear what happened," said Vettel. "The room I gave for Kimi was not for three cars.
"Max had a bad start and was out of the fight but decided to [get involved]. We had three cars with not enough room. If l had to do it again, l would give a little bit more room and at least l would make it - l don't know about the two cars on the inside."
After the Ferrari duo later criticised Verstappen's driving during the closing stages of the race, the teenager said Vettel and Raikkonen should be "ashamed to cause an accident like that with their amount of experience".
But both Vettel and Raikkonen remain adamant that Verstappen's style of defending track position needs addressing.
"We have nothing to be ashamed of," responded Vettel. "We should always show respect for each other."
"It's the moving in the braking [zone] which is the wrong thing. We need to have another chat."
A concurring Raikkonen added: "Personally I have nothing against Max. He's going a good job, he's fast but certain things, in my view, were not correct. Everyone makes mistakes but this is not the place to acting silly or 'paying back'."
