Four-times world champion Vettel turned the air blue in
Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix, directing some of the abuse at
Formula One race director Charlie Whiting in an outburst that
some in the paddock compared to slapping a soccer referee.
It was not the first time this season that the German has let
rip over the airwaves with bleeped-out swear words broadcast
worldwide.
He called McLaren's Alonso, a double world champion who left
Ferrari in 2014 when Vettel arrived from Red Bull, an 'idiot' in
free practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The Spaniard laughed off the insult by saying Vettel was "living
a very frustrating period for himself and for Ferrari, so we
have to forgive him".
Much of his ire has been aimed at Max Verstappen, Ricciardo's
team mate, and he had plenty to shout about on Sunday after the
Dutch teenager cut a corner while defending against Vettel and
refused to give up the place.
Verstappen, who has annoyed plenty of other drivers, suggested
Vettel go back to school to improve his language.
Ricciardo, who also clashed with Vettel and inherited third
place when the German was demoted post-race, said his former
team mate was under pressure.
"He's shown in the past he can be quite emotional but this year
it seems to be a bit more," the Australian told reporters.
"He's obviously a bit frustrated with how the season's gone, he
probably thought that maybe they had a chance to fight Mercedes
but it hasn't worked like that."
Vettel won three races last year but Ferrari have drawn a blank
in 2016 and been overtaken by Red Bull in the battle for second
place behind Mercedes.
"Some things we've seen in the past, Seb gets a bit frustrated
but it's probably been a bit more uncharacteristic this year,
probably been a bit too much," said Ricciardo.
He said drivers had to be more sensible than just "squirting a
whole lot of stuff" over the radio.
"Trust me, I would say twice as much," Ricciardo smiled. "But I
do, a lot of the time, wait and maybe say a few things to myself
and press the radio button.
"You don't need to broadcast it all. You can swear in your
helmet and then speak your mind maybe a little bit more relaxed
a few moments later."
(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
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