Two of the sport's heavyweights, Jean Todt and Ron Dennis, have openly criticised world champion Sebastian Vettel following his recent comments about the new engine formula.

The Red Bull driver's Manama misery wasn't confined to the track, for in the paddock the FIA president and McLaren overlord were both making their feelings quite clear.

Whilst some might appreciate the youngster's outspokeness, especially when compared to those driving for some of the more corporate teams, others are unhappy with what they see as an unprofessional attitude.

While Todt and Dennis are both unhappy with the German's use of bad language - paying particular reference to his recent description of the sound of the new engines - they also feel that as world champion he is an ambassador for the sport and therefore shouldn't be talking it down.

"I would not expect from an icon of the sport, who is Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion and an ambassador of the sport, to say something negative because it has a big influence," said the Frenchman. "If he came to me and said, 'I think we should address the problem of the noise', he is a significant person and I would listen to that."

"Being a world champion requires a dignified approach to everything," Dennis told Sky Sports. "Putting aside the language for the moment the sentiment is inappropriate.

"The simple fact is if he was sat in a Mercedes he would be extremely happy," the Englishman continued, "and I'm quite sure any four or five-letter words would be more of joy. He should just reflect on the fact he has had a period of dominance, and just because that dominance is being shaken by Mercedes, doesn't give him the licence to be disrespectful of the obligations placed on him as a world champion."

Rumours that Vettel's reaction to the comments was "b******s", remain totally unconfirmed.

Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by GoodPublicity, 08/04/2014 11:49

"What Seb really meant, lost in translation, was that the engines sound like "Schmidt", as in the Schmidt Peterson Motorsport's droning turbocharged Honda Indycars.

"

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2. Posted by gturner38, 07/04/2014 21:53

"Vettel's comments have nothing to do with the noise of the engine and everything to do with the quality of the Renault units. If he were in a Mercedes and winning races, he'd have no more problem with them than he had with the flatulent sounding blown diffusers. "

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3. Posted by Bzzzzt, 07/04/2014 16:58

"It's a sad day when Ron's famously sterile team culture is applied across the grid. I'm sure that some legendary champions of years past would have had some colorful things to say about that (Senna, Hunt, Stewart, HUNT, Lauda). IF ONLY drivers weren't so restricted by corporate sponsorships where they could speak their minds and fans could actually relate to them.."

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4. Posted by Speedbump, 07/04/2014 16:58

"A little foul language coming from a frustrated driver is far from what's wrong with Formula One. If Ron Dennis and John Toad want to see what's really wrong with how things have gotten, they need just glance into a mirror."

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5. Posted by Spindoctor, 07/04/2014 12:43

"I thought he's simply said that the SOUND of the new engines is "Sh1t". I agree this isn't very dignified, but Ron (whom I greatly admire) is being a bit pompous to criticise him for that. If he was complaining about the new regs in general, then I think Ron & Jean have a point. "

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6. Posted by husoi, 07/04/2014 11:31

"Vettel's attitude shows how much of a spoiled prat he is. Like the child who finds out that the other kids toys are better than his and now he realizes that he can't say "mine is better...".
Somehow think that someone should give him a good old fashion smack... The problem is that his "Godfather" Ecclestone is the one responsible for the childish attitude.
Vettel, Grow up!!"

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7. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 07/04/2014 11:21

"I'm sure that Vettel is " deeply concerned " that Ronnie and the French Poison Dwarf are displeased.

Sort of proves the validity of SV's comments................"

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Todt and Dennis critical of Vettel

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