Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes Sebastian Vettel should be punished for telling race director Charlie Whiting to "f**k off" during the closing laps of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Whiting, who is essentially referee of the race, refused to tell Max Verstappen to give up third place by handing it to Vettel after he cut a corner to keep position, prompting the German to say over team radio: "Here’s a message to Charlie, f**k off. Honestly, f**k off."
Whilst Vettel received a penalty for erratic driving, the FIA has yet to confirm whether it is looking into the German's outburst, but Horner says he would be surprised if it went unpunished.
More: Read Vettel's full radio outburst from the Mexican Grand Prix
"Of course, in the heat of the moment there is always going to be emotion from the driver," Horner is quoted as saying by Motorsport.
"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."
Horner believes Vettel's outburst, which is one of many this season, is born out of frustration with Ferrari's lack of performance this season.
"It is not an attribute that he had when he drove for us," added Horner. "Obviously his frustration is vocalising, and everyone can hear that."
