Top Stories of 2016, #8: Vettel's radio rant against Whiting
In eighth place of the top 20 biggest motorsport stories of 2016, we look at the controversy triggered by Sebastian Vettel's radio rant against race director Charlie Whiting during the Mexican Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF16-H
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Top 20 Stories of 2016
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Throughout 2016, Vettel's radio became one of the most frequently featured on the television feed and, as is usually the case with F1 radio messages, it was often comprised of complaints about his rivals, be it backmarkers or direct competitors.
No message, however, quite reached the furious heights of Vettel's Mexican Grand Prix rant against Max Verstappen after the Dutch driver refused to let the German through in their battle.
The Ferrari driver was fighting for a podium slot against third-placed Verstappen, who was on older tyres than the German, when the Dutchman locked up at Turn 1 with three laps to go, cutting through the grass and rejoining ahead of his rival.
The move led to Vettel demanding Verstappen let him through, something the 19-year-old Red Bull racer refused to do, leading to an escalating rant from the frustrated four-time champion.
"Move! Move for f*** sake! He's a [long bleep], that's what he is," Vettel shouted.
"I mean, am I the only one or are you not seeing what I'm seeing? He's just backing me off into Ricciardo [bleep]," added Vettel, under pressure from Verstappen's teammate.
Vettel's frustration continued to grow as Verstappen did all he could to keep him at bay, his anger culminating in a message directed at race director Charlie Whiting.
"You know what, here is the message for Charlie: f*** off! Honestly, f*** off," Vettel screamed. "Honestly, I'm going to hit someone."
Verstappen finished third on the road, but was later dropped to fifth as he was handed a five-second penalty for his move at Turn 1.
That elevated Vettel to the podium, but the Ferrari driver was himself placed under investigation for moving under braking when defending from Ricciardo.
Vettel was later penalised as well, and the podium slot was handed to the Australian as the Ferrari driver dropped to fifth behind Verstappen.
The affair was not over, however, as Vettel found himself in the spotlight for his Whiting comments, the FIA deciding to look into the outburst despite Vettel apologising to the race director after the race.
Vettel then issued letters to the FIA and to Whiting himself to apologise for his comments, resulting in the ruling body deeming that no further action was necessary.
"The fact that he sought me out very shortly after the race to apologise, for me that was enough and I'm prepared to just forget it and move on," explained Whiting later.
"I think that's really what we should do. Things happen in the heat of the moment. I think you've seen what the FIA's position on this is; and I personally feel that's enough."
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