Sebastian Vettel and Daniil Kvyat engaged in a verbal spat after yesterday’s Chinese Formula One Grand Prix as the four-times champion blamed the Russian for pushing him into a collision with team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Raikkonen and Vettel, starting third and fourth, suffered damage in the incident and had to pit for new front wings, which put paid to their chances of challenging Mercedes pole-sitter Nico Rosberg for the victory in Shanghai.

“You came like a torpedo,” Vettel told third-placed Kvyat before the podium ceremony.

“I was racing,” the 21-year-old responded before Vettel, who also called Kvyat a “madman” and described his move as “suicidal” over the radio during the race, cut him off.

“Not racing... if I keep going the same line, we crash,” Vettel said.

“You need to expect when you attack like crazy that you damage your car... you were lucky this time.”