Sebastian Vettel says he won’t apologise for winning the Malaysian Grand Prix, but he is sorry for putting himself above the team.
The German disobeyed team orders in the closing stages of the race and passed his team-mate, Mark Webber, despite being told not to.
That led to a backlash as the media, fans and even his own team, condemned his actions. However the 25-year-old says he is employed to win, and that’s what he did.
“I don’t apologise for winning,” he said in China.
“I think that’s why people employed me in the first place and why I’m here. I love racing and that’s what I did.
“In Malaysia we were surprised being at the top. The whole race we worked well with the tyres. I think that’s what people forgot.
“What stuck in their heads was the way the race ended. There’s not much more to add than what happened. I told the team straight after.”
He is however sorry for putting his interests before those of the team.
“I apologised for putting myself above the team which I didn’t mean to do. There’s not much more to say.”
