Vettel: ‘Verstappen needs to learn’

Sebastian Vettel has ramped up the pressure on under-fire Red Bull driver Max Verstappen after a first-corner clash ruined their race.

Verstappen, starting second, fell behind Ferrari pair Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen at the start of the race, but attempted to make amends with a bold move up the inside of Turn 1.

But Vettel, on the outside of the three, did not see the Red Bull and so squeezed Raikkonen hard – causing a collision.

Both Ferrari drivers have attacked Verstappen for his driving style, and Vettel insists the 18-year-old was in the wrong.

“I had a brilliant start. I was in second place and half a car ahead, so I could dictate the way,” he said.

“I could hardly see Kimi, he was in my blind spot, with Max even further right and out of sight. So I don't think what Max was trying to do would have worked.

“Obviously he didn't allow Kimi to move into the inside, and that prevented both of them from clearing Turn One in a normal way.

“We all three touched and collided, and this was bad news for Kimi and for me. Of course, with hindsight, I would have given more room to the inside, but you want to make the corner and try to race, and I gave room to Kimi, but not to three cars.

“Max had a bad start, he was falling behind. I think we have seen in the last couple of years that if you really dive down the very inside, the track is falling off and you basically go straight.

“The cars ahead have priority, and this is something he needs to understand. In that regard there was no way he could have made the corner without making contact.

“I don't think that me and Kimi have to change what we are doing, we respect each other and it's a pity when two cars of the same colour collide."

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