Domenicali: Vettel not a dirty driver

Ferrari chief Stefano Domenicali has insisted that Sebastian Vettel did deserve his penalty during the Italian GP but has defended the World Champion by describing him as a "firm but fair" driver.

The Ferrari and Red Bull drivers became embroiled in a controversial fight during Sunday's race and, in a reversal of their battle last season at Monza, Alonso tried to go around the outside of the German at the Curva Grande and was forced onto the grass.

Whilst Domenicali believes Vettel did not intend to ruin Alonso's race, the Ferrari Team Principal also thinks that the drive-through penalty Vettel received was deserved.

"It was a hard battle and I believe the Stewards' decision was right, above all given the clarification that was given out by the FIA after the last Bahrain Grand Prix," Domenicali told Ferrari's website.

"I'm also sure that Sebastian didn't have any intention of jeopardising Fernando's race: the German is a driver who is firm but fair."

The Sky Sports F1 HD pundits concurred that Vettel was in the wrong, with Johnny Herbert concluding: "It was just too much. You have mirrors and when you look into those mirrors you can see if there is someone there. He didn't seem to do that and he just kept on going.

"He's very aware if Fernando's there or not and he just overpushed it. Maybe it was a driver error or mistake but I think that they [the stewards] did the right thing."