27 Mar 2013

Ecclestone says Red Bull orders not justified

3:55 pm on 27 March 2013

The Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has criticised the Red Bull team for ordering its driver Sebastian Vettel not to challenge for the lead in last weeks' Malaysian Grand Prix.

Vettel defied team orders to let his team mate Mark Webber win the race and beat the Australian into second place.

The 82-year-old Ecclestone says while team drivers should work together if a title is on line, Red Bull's orders weren't justified after only two races in the season.

Ecclestone also criticised Mercedes for ordering Nico Rosberg to remain behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton, despite being much faster than the Briton in the closing stages.

Rosberg finished fourth behind Hamilton, who later apologised, admitting the German deserved to finish third.