Three-time world champion, and Mercedes' non-executive chairman, Niki Lauda, has admitted that he is baffled by the incident that saw Sebastian Vettel barge into rival Lewis Hamilton's car at the second re-start, costing the German a 10s stop and go penalty and a possible win.

"Vettel is a decent guy normally," the Austrian told reporters. "But this, I don't understand, he's crazy."

Asked if the move has damaged the German's reputation, Lauda was under no illusion. "Sure," he replied, "he freaked out".

"Nobody can criticise the stewards because they are what they are, like a referee," he continued, referring to Hamilton's criticism of Charlie Whiting and the stewards for not coming down harder on Vettel, "but they could have done more, because I think it's the worst you can do. If you overtake somebody and drive into him as a mistake, fine, but this was deliberate, in a phase of the race where you are driving slow."

Other than the side-swipe at Hamilton, Lauda insists that Vettel was also responsible for running into the back of the Mercedes in the first place, a fact borne out by the data.

"You have to be so under control yourself that you don't do that," he said. "He was upset he hit him up the back, but this was also his fault, not Lewis' fault.

"Therefore what he did after I don't understand," he admitted. "He could have damaged his car, Lewis' car and could have been taken out of race, so I don't know why he is risking all of that."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by mittagongcalling, 28/06/2017 12:28

"Charlie "Safety Car" Whiting is the individual responsible for the debacle. "

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2. Posted by Pavlo, 27/06/2017 14:50

"What is really surprising that Vettel had a good opportunity to apologize and he didn't. Be it the mistake or intentional move, they all stopped after the red flag, Vettel had time to think and the team had a chance to advice him. He had a perfect chance to show the stewards that he regrets his actions, he didn't, and the punishment was pretty mild."

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3. Posted by imejl99, 27/06/2017 12:01

"I couldn't care less for any of the two, but to say it was only #5 fault is wrong, in my opinion. Hypocrisy of it all is "the data shows no breaking" suggesting there was no break testing. Anyone who ever put a foot on the pedals knows what you can do with acceleration pedal, gearshift, clutch... Press the clutch in some situations and car will go faster, and data will show no acceleration pedal action at all. Ergo, there was no breaking on data but only #44 can say if there was deliberately slowing down by no action in fact. We will never know. We do know that #44 repeatedly demanded Safety Car to go faster, if that counts for anything here intention wise

Ugly side of the whole thing is that there were probably some intention, unacceptable reaction and following action, with hypocrisy on top. "

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4. Posted by F1 Yank, 26/06/2017 17:08

"I don't disagree with any of your comments but will ring in with my perspective. Obviously VET rear ended HAM! I don't think the side swipe was intentional but a mistake on VET since while he was pulling alongside HAM he did not right the wheel but kept it in that position while turning his head and gesturing. The bumping of wheels was a result of this. The penalty? Not sure since there have been times we have expected more costly penalties to the person in question. What I will say is that it made great conversation during the broadcast!!"

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5. Posted by gary0400, 26/06/2017 16:46

"What Vettel did was inexcusable. If he did that on the highway and a police officer saw it, his licence would be revoked."

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6. Posted by Ro, 26/06/2017 13:10

"Im sorry, but something is wrong here....I belong to a National Racing Club and a few years ago one competitor did exactly as Vettel did. Rammed his car up the back of the leader, went to the side of him and swiped him, "wheel-to-wheel". The Clerk of the course disqualified him for dangerous driving and unsporting behaviour. Why wasnt this applied to something so visible to the whole world ? I think the FIA should (finally) do their job and review the penalty given. What was handed down is paltry."

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7. Posted by Dave_, 26/06/2017 13:08

"Well said, Chris Roper. Anyone else but a Ferrari driver and that would have happened.

F1 and the FIA are s**t scared of offending Ferrari so the punishment is always on the soft side.

Data has proven Vettel was at fault, and yet he still hasn't even apologised for his actions."

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8. Posted by mickl, 26/06/2017 12:12

"If Vettel wins the championship by those points he received in Baku then it would be one of the most undeserved championships ever."

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9. Posted by Chris Roper, 26/06/2017 12:01

"There should be no place in F1 for Road Rage.

If you rear end a car on the road you are automatically at fault, to then ram the other car in a fit of road rage would probably cost you your licence.

Has the FIA forgotten its Road Safety mandate?

Any other team would have been Black Flagged and at least a one race ban but because he is in a Ferrari he gets a 10 sec penalty, an effective reprimand and he is allowed to retain his championship lead.

I used to be a Vettel fan but I have now lost all respect.

"

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Lauda: Vettel freaked out

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