Horner expects Vettel to face sanction over Whiting radio rant

Vettel was furious in the closing stages at Mexico City, after the FIA delayed instructing Max Verstappen to move over and let him through following the Red Bull driver having run across the track at Turn 1 on lap 68.

His astonishing remarks promoted Vettel to later go and personally visit Whiting to say sorry, but Horner thinks that should not be the end of the matter.

For while Vettel's criticisms of rival drivers could be understood, Horner thinks that no other sport would accept a player abusing the man who is effectively the referee.

"Of course, in the heat of the moment there is always going to be emotion from the driver," said Horner. "In other sports, I am sure if football players had microphones on, then the language would be an awful lot bluer than what is going on out on track.

"But in any sport, what you cannot do is give abuse to the referee essentially. So, I would be surprised if that went unreprimanded."

Vettel defended his radio comments, suggesting they were simply him venting anger in the heat of the moment.

But the ongoing nature of Vettel's criticisms of others on the radio – having called Fernando Alonso an 'idiot' on Friday in Mexico – has led some to suggest that they are an indication of him not being happy at Ferrari.

Indeed, Horner suggests that Vettel never behaved like that when he was at Red Bull – and that his attitude has only emerged during a campaign where Ferrari's form has suffered.

"It is not an attribute that he had when he drove for us," explained Horner. "Obviously his frustration is vocalising, and everyone can hear that."

The FIA has not yet made a comment about whether or not it will investigate Vettel's radio remarks, despite the controversy they have caused.