'Idiot' remark: Narain Karthikeyan hits out at Sebastian Vettel

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Sebastian Vettel who conquered many a heart with a blazing drive at last year’s Indian GP has now hurt the sentiments of Indian motorsport fans.

On-board video from last weekend’s Malaysian GP has revealed the Formula One champion showing the middle finger to Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan after the two collided during the race.

Vettel’s anger didn’t end with that, he called Narain a 'cucumber' on a German TV referring to the Indian as “an idiot on the road” using the German colloquial term.

“It’s like on the normal roads, there are some idiots driving around and seems like there is also one driving here,” Vettel had said.

The young German’s insulting remark has provoked the usually-calm Narain to retaliate strongly. Narain said Vettel is “trying to put the blame on me for his poor shows.”

“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,” Narain told Deccan Chronicle from Singapore.

Narain said those who have superior cars should show some respect to backmarkers.

“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,” Narain said.

Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard, now a commentator, said the collision was a racing incident. “Narain can’t make his car invisible,” said Coulthard.

In fact, Narain was involved in another incident with Jenson Button on Sunday, but the Englishman immediately acknowledged that it was his mistake.

Narain, who finished 21st and a place ahead of his experienced teammate Pedro de la Rosa, was docked with 20-second penalty for the Vettel incident and was pushed down a place. Narain said the FIA stewards’ decision was 'a touch harsh'.

Sahara Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg, who is in New Delhi for a promotional event, said it was not Narain’s fault. “I heard about whatever happened and I also saw it on TV later. So, I don’t really understand why Vettel said all of that,” he said.

“I think Vettel was just emotional at that point of time. He lost out on points, it was frustrating for him and his team. At the end of the day, he is just human and sometimes you get emotional,” the German added.