Sebastian Vettel has defended his former mentor Michael Schumacher.

The seven time world champion has been roundly criticised since last Sunday’s Spanish grand prix, after crashing into Williams’ Bruno Senna at the end of the Barcelona straight.

He called the Brazilian driver an “idiot” on the radio and later defended the outburst, but the FIA did not agree, imposing a five-place qualifying penalty for Monte Carlo for causing a collision.

“For us, that manoeuvre of Michael’s cost us a lot,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said on Austrian Servus TV.

He said the debris from the crash not only damaged Vettel’s front wing, but led to the reigning world champion having to serve a drive-through penalty due to activating his DRS wing in the yellow-flag zone.

German Vettel, however, defended Schumacher.

“In those situations we don’t have much time of course,” he said, “and you can get very great speed differences (between the cars) on the straights.

“I think it should be classified simply in the category of racing accidents. Unfortunately it happens,” said the reigning world champion.

“Of course you can always say what is what afterwards,” added Vettel, “just as you can say that it always takes two to tango.”

Mercedes’ Norbert Haug was less eager to comment, although he did tell Germany’s Sport1 that the team “accepts the verdict of the race stewards”.

Whilst admitting the RB8 has “very nervous” handling, Sebastian Vettel insists there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the 2012 Red Bull.

The German looks likely to struggle to add a third consecutive drivers’ title to his tally this season, after slumping to just sixth in the points standings after the first two races.

In China, he has reverted to a launch specification of the Adrian Newey-penned car’s exhaust layout, whilst Mark Webber is plugging ahead with a further development of the Australia-Malaysia solution.

“There is no question of something (being) wrong,” Vettel is quoted in Spanish media reports as saying in Shanghai, “just a few things that are probably just not working in an ideal manner.

“The problem we have is that the balance of the car is not as good as we had last year. It’s not a question of downforce, but of ensuring that all the parts are behaving as a whole.

“That is what we are trying to achieve.”

Vettel dismissed the suggestion that because Red Bull’s cars are in two different specifications this weekend, it means the team has “lost” its way.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “I firmly believe we have a very competitive car, at the moment we are just not able to take its full potential out.”

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old said he has spoken with Narain Karthikeyan, following their collision in Malaysia.

Vettel twice showed his Indian rival the middle finger, and described Karthikeyan – who was penalised by the stewards – as an “idiot”.

“I spoke with him and he apologised,” Vettel is quoted by Germany’s spox.com.

But when told that he was once a backmarker like Karthikeyan, the German insisted: “I was never as far behind as the HRT.

“Of course you have to drive your own race. But you still have to know what is going on around you.”

Two former champions have admitted they are impressed with how Kimi Raikkonen has re-adjusted to formula one after two years off the grid.

Niki Lauda, the plain-speaking triple world champion, hailed F1′s 2007 title winner for driving “as though he had never been away” in the early phase of his return this season, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

Emerson Fittipaldi, the double champion of the 70s, agrees.

“I am surprised that it has taken no time for Kimi to be back at the top of his form,” said the Brazilian.

“Michael Schumacher is on form this year too, but it took him two years to get back in the groove. Kimi was on it from the very first test,” he added.

Fittipaldi, meanwhile, had some advice for Raikkonen’s Lotus teammate Romain Grosjean, who despite showing promise is yet to see the chequered flag in 2012 after a collision in Melbourne and a spin in Malaysia.

“(It’s) the same advice I’d give any driver, especially a young one: first you have to finish, then you can finish first,” he said.

F1′s governing body has played down claims Sebastian Vettel faces a penalty for his behaviour during the Malaysian grand prix.

After the race, the reigning world champion dismissed HRT’s Narain Karthikeyan as an “idiot” following their on-track collision.

On-board footage subsequently proved that Red Bull driver Vettel, 24, twice showed his Indian driver a ‘middle finger’ salute.

Reports in Germany suggested the behaviour was a breach of the stricter code of conduct under FIA president Jean Todt, with the German theoretically facing anything from a warning to the revocation of his superlicense.

“My understanding is these matters are dealt with by stewards at each grand prix,” an FIA spokesman told us. “I am not aware of any other action being contemplated.”

Karthikeyan, who was penalised after the clash, told the Hindustan Times newspaper that the stewards favoured world champion Vettel’s explanation.

“They (the stewards) didn’t care about what I had to say because Mr Vettel told them god knows what when he went and talked to them,” he said.

But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner defended Vettel, telling the Mirror that it is “Karthikeyan’s responsibility to get out of the way for the leaders”.

Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg, meanwhile, partly excused Vettel’s outbursts.

“I think Vettel was just emotional at that point of time. At the end of the day, he is just human and sometimes you get emotional,” the German is quoted by the Times of India.

Former driver Adrian Sutil goes even further.

“I can understand him (Vettel),” he told Die Welt newspaper in Germany. “I was often angry when I was lapping people, when they make no room for you while they are fighting for places that have almost no significance.

“Karthikeyan ended up influencing not only Vettel’s race, but also Jenson Button’s. They (backmarkers) have to understand that as well.”

The FIA could sanction F1′s reigning back-to-back world champion for his behaviour during the recent Malaysian grand prix.

Before calling backmarker Narain Karthikeyan a “gherkin” and “idiot” in the wake of their collision, Sebastian Vettel was captured by his on-board camera twice displaying his middle-finger to the Indian driver.

“I think he’s highly frustrated because he’s having a tough season,” Karthikeyan told the Deccan Chronicle on Wednesday.

“It’s completely unprofessional to blame me for the incident. The derogatory remark only goes to show him in bad light.

“Just because he has a good car, he can’t call others an idiot,” Karthikeyan continued.

“I have won races in all the previous single-seater championships I have participated in so I don’t need a certificate from Vettel.”

Reports in Germany, including in the Kolner Express, Bild and Die Welt newspapers, claim that Red Bull driver’s behaviour may have breached the new stricter code of conduct introduced by FIA president Jean Todt.

The FIA has been contacted for comment.

“He has breached the code of conduct,” former F1 driver Marc Surer told Germany’s Sky television. “You sign it when you get the license and then you have to behave correspondingly.

“Any behaviour that hurts other people or the sport is an offense,” added the Swiss.

Asked what the penalties might be, Surer explained: “Anything from a warning to a license revocation. In this case I think it was quite understandable and there will be a mild punishment, if there is anything.”

Hans-Joachim Stuck, however, is slightly less forgiving.

“When you’re overtaking, misunderstandings can occur. I think Vettel needs to learn this.

“With him, the curve was always upwards and now it’s not the case, and he needs to deal with that,” the German legend told the DAPD news agency.

As for Vettel’s description of Karthikeyan as a “gherkin”, Stuck insisted: “It’s better than ‘asshole’.”

Vettel’s attack, however, was sustained, with Kleine Zeitung newspaper now quoting the Red Bull driver as having said: “Maybe formula one is not the place to learn how to drive.”

Stuck responded: “If Sebastian had left more space, it would not have happened. It happens sometimes so it’s a racing incident.

“He (Karthikeyan) didn’t do it on purpose and it always takes two.”

The HRT driver hit back by calling Vettel a “bully”, and even David Coulthard – a Red Bull team consultant – defended Karthikeyan.

“He can’t make his car invisible,” the Scot is quoted as saying by the Mirror.

Also defending Karthikeyan was Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg, who told the Indian press this week: “From what I saw, it was not Narain’s fault.

“So I don’t really understand why he (Vettel) said all that.”

Hukenberg’s Force India teammate Paul di Resta added: “Narain is entitled to do as much on the track in comparison with someone like Vettel.

“Both are F1 drivers and are there to represent their teams.”

Vitaly Petrov will move five places down the inaugural Korean GP grid in two weeks.

FIA stewards decided to penalise the Russian rookie for crashing into Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg before the first corner of Sunday’s Japanese race at Suzuka.

Hulkenberg had a bad start and was passed by the Renault, who hit the German’s front wheel by turning back onto the racing line too soon.

Petrov argued that he moved too soon to avoid Nick Heidfeld, but the stewards announced that he had “caused a collision”.

Also investigated by the stewards at Suzuka was Felipe Massa’s first corner crash, when he lost control on the inside grass and took out the Force India of Vitantonio Liuzzi.

“He seemed to come into my side like a bullet,” said Liuzzi.

The FIA officials, however, took no action.

Solution to the spectacular failure of MotoGP? Promoting the skills to compete and vice versa. Even in Misano Adriatico hunting from pole has reserved final 10 minutes of the session and exciting, especially the last attempt explosion of “red helmets for Rossi, Lorenzo and especially Dani Pedrosa, fourth pole position of the season (35th in MotoGP 17 MotoGP) in two separate occasions, even managing to stop the clock sull’1’33 “948, split the vintage. Making a difference especially in T4 by the “Wagon” to the pit straight, the three-time world champion has tamed his Honda RC212V to the pole a valuable reassembling the group from “Fantastic 4″ MotoGP.

Pedrosa, but to follow Lorenzo, Stoner and Rossi. All there with uncertainties in anticipation of the race on pace (Pedrosa and Lorenzo not far), choice of tires (all with the “soft”, only Rossi very active with the “hard”), made the bike for a race that Misano is difficult prospect. Not like in Indianapolis, at least for Jorge Lorenzo who wants to put a spoke in the wheels to prevent his fellow classical feel of childbirth, I and go on the run.

Attempt to insert in the collision for Casey Stoner, the third with a slip of the assets of the curve “Rio”, but can bring the Ducati Desmosedici in the front row at the expense of Valentino Rossi, from the choice in contrast with regard to tires, by the excellent growth more than it can highlight the lap and continued to be recovered than half a second pair of heads.

No surprise to find Ben Spies in the fifth position, a well-deserved applause for Randy De Puniet who basically 6 weeks from injury at the Sachsenring is sixth on the grid with the Honda LCR team. As often happens Andrea Dovizioso has lost the right train “in qualifying, only eighth after good practice, before the order to Marco Simoncelli, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi Suzuki pays 1″ 1 from the peak to a grille starting compact, but that race can hardly surprises with the usual suspects up front.

MotoGP World Championship 2010
Misano Adriatico, Qualifying Standings

01 – Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 1’33 .948
02 – Jorge Lorenzo – Team Fiat Yamaha – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0308 +
03 – Casey Stoner – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 0449 +
04 – Valentino Rossi – Fiat Yamaha Team – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0522 +
05 – Ben Spies – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0524 +
06 – Randy De Puniet – LCR Honda – Honda RC212V – 0803 +
07 – Colin Edwards – Tech 3 Yamaha Monster – Yamaha YZR M1 – 0834 +
08 – Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 0878 +
09 – Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – 0986 +
10 – Marco Melandri – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – 1070 +
11 – Loris Capirossi – Rizla Suzuki – Suzuki GSV-R – 1148 +
12 – Hector Barbera – Paginas Amarillas Aspar – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1311 +
13 – Hiroshi Aoyama – Interwetten Honda – Honda RC212V – 1338 +
14 – Nicky Hayden – Ducati Marlboro Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1355 +
15 – Aleix Espargaro – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1490 +
16 – Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki – Suzuki GSV-R – 1681 +
17 – Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP10 – 1776 +

According to Mercedes chief Norbert Haug, a line should now be drawn underneath the recent criticisms of Michael Schumacher.

With his detractors already questioning his competitive struggles in 2010, the seven time world champion sparked a new line of attack with his aggressive driving against former Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello in Hungary.

The condemnation was near-universal and stinging, and preceded a rare show of contrition by the 41-year-old German.

“Michael has apologised and accepted his penalty,” competition boss Haug is quoted by Der Tagespiegel.

“It should now be accepted from everyone else and a final line be drawn under this topic,” added the German.

But for some, drawing that line will not come until the safety implications of the move are well documented.

“He’s a seven time world champion, he knew exactly what he was doing, he did it absolutely deliberately,” said Alex Wurz.  “A collision could have been fatal.”

Joan Villadelprat, writing in El Pais newspaper, agreed: “Obviously he cannot argue from the angle of inexperience.  What he did to Barrichello is intolerable.

“If it had gone wrong, the crash would have been at 300kph and could have ended in tragedy,” added the Epsilon Euskadi boss.

And Ferrari test driver Marc Gene wrote in El Mundo newspaper: “I still have shivers after watching that move.  It was unnecessary and very dangerous.”

Triple world champion and F1 safety pioneer Jackie Stewart said: “It was one of the most blatant abuses of another driver that I have seen.

“It is a terrible example from a man who has seven world titles — bully-boy tactics,” he is quoted by the Sun newspaper.

Another former driver John Watson added: “He’s a proud man and didn’t want to be overtaken but he reverted to an ugly animal instinct.”

Sebastien Buemi was unhappy with Schumacher after Hungary for a different reason.

“At the start he pushed me to the grass,” Blick newspaper quotes the 21-year-old as saying.  “I had to brake or I would have hit him.  I am disappointed; I would have expected more from him.”

UK bookmaker William Hill is taking bets that the German will retire before the Belgian grand prix (33/1), and that he will return to retirement at the end of the season (evens).