Vettel defends his decision to pass Verstappen in qualifying

Sebastian Vettel has defended himself, after Max Verstappen accused the German of ruining his final run in qualifying.

Verstappen backed off after being taken over by Vettel shortly before the start of his final go at a fastest lap. The 21-year-old was unable to start his last run before the chequered flag was raised.

However, Vettel said that he had to do what he did, otherwise he, like Verstappen, wouldn't have time to record his final lap.

"Obviously everybody timed it around the same, so we all left for the same spot," Vettel said on the incident to RaceFans. "If you were at the end of the train, which I was, then it was quite difficult.

"When the team told me we only had 10 seconds margin to cross the line in time to make another attempt, I had to think of something. I don't know if the others were not told if everyone would have sped up the way I did, then we should have all made it.

"But, I obviously prioritised at that point to make the lap. It felt like others were not aware."