Vettel slams Ferrari and Raikkonen - I have to race three cars!

Sebastian Vettel criticised both Ferrari and his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen after falling further behind Lewis Hamilton in a blundersome Italian Grand Prix. Vettel was left to salvage a fourth-place finish after colliding with Hamilton on the opening lap, as the Mercedes got the better of Raikkonen to win and extend his championship lead to 30 points.

Eyebrows were raised when Raikkonen qualified on pole at Monza - aided by a tow from Vettel - with questions asked why the German was not put into the most advantageous position by the Scuderia.

Vettel explained after the race that their running order was pre-determined on a race-by-race basis, but is anger was clear after crossing the line when, informed he was second to his team-mate, he replied curtly: "We'll discuss later."

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Raikkonen flexed his muscles in an attempt to win a first grand prix in 109 attempts, backing Vettel into Hamilton at the Roggia Chicane, which saw contact pitch the German into a spin and leave him at the back of the grid.

Raikkonen was ultimately left stranded in a battle against Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas backing his countryman into Hamilton, who pounced late to seal a record-equalling fifth Monza win

Although immediately unwilling to deliver any criticism to his team, Vettel eventually made it clear where his displeasure lay.

"When I had to evade him in the next chicane, Lewis could get past," Vettel is quoted by Ziggo Sport, discussing Raikkonen. "I had no space and made a spin and had severe damage.

"I'm not particularly happy with the way Ferrari managed things on Saturday.

"It should've been me starting from pole position.

"For me, it's clear: I have to race three cars, including my teammate."

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene defended Ferrari's tactics post-race, saying the team "hire drivers, not butlers" and it remains to be seen whether Raikkonen will cooperate in assisting Vettel's title charge, amid rumours he will be replaced by Charles Leclerc in the team next year.