Narain Karthikeyan has responded to Sebastian Vettel’s ‘idiot’ comment after the pair made contact in the closing stages of the Malaysian Grand Prix. As a result, the Champion plummeted from fourth to 11th place and scored no points.
While lapping the HRT on Lap 47, the Red Bull appeared to move across and into the Indian driver, puncturing his own left-rear tyre. After the race, there was an angry reaction from the double title winner on German television, initially labelling his rival a ‘cucumber’.
“It’s like on the normal roads; there are some idiots driving around and it seems like there is also one driving here,” Vettel exclaimed.
Karthikeyan has now responded, claiming Vettel had no right to make the comment.
“He is trying to put the blame on me because of his poor showings,” Karthikeyan told Singapore’s Deccan Chronicle. “I think he’s highly frustrated because he’s having a tough season after dominating the track for two years.
“It’s completely unprofessional to blame me for the incident. The derogatory remark only goes to show him in bad light. I, however, have high regard for Vettel for whatever he has achieved in a short span of time.
“We have every right to race on track. The rule is that backmarkers have to give way when they are shown the blue flag, but it doesn’t mean we have to go out of the track. Just because he has a good car, he can’t call others an idiot.
"I have won races in all the previous single-seater championships I have participated in and held pole position in the most demanding F3 Macau Grand Prix, so I don’t need a certificate from Vettel.”
During the race, Karthikeyan was also hit by Jenson Button, but the McLaren driver immediately took responsibility in interviews which followed.
GPUpdate TV video:
Vettel and Karthikeyan at odds in Malaysia
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Narain Karthikeyan
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| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  F. Alonso | Ferrari | 2:44:51.812 |
| 2. | S. Perez | Sauber | +2.263 |
| 3. | L. Hamilton | McLaren | +14.591 |
| 4. | M. Webber | Red Bull | +17.688 |
| 5. | K. Raikkonen | Lotus | +29.456 |
| 6. | B. Senna | Williams | +37.667 |
| 7. | P. di Resta | Force India | +44.412 |
| 8. | J. Vergne | Toro Rosso | +46.985 |
| 9. | N. Hulkenberg | Force India | +47.892 |
| 10. | M. Schumacher | Mercedes | +49.996 |
| Full results | |||
| Narain Karthikeyan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| More Narain Karthikeyan photos | |||
| Sebastian Vettel | |||
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| More Sebastian Vettel photos | |||
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