Vettel backs Hamilton’s drive-through penalty
The Toro Rosso driver was passed by Hamilton, who races for McLaren, at the Magny-Cours circuit, moments before Hamilton cut a chicane and triggered a stewards' investigation.
McLaren figures suggested that the penalty was not deserved, including Mercedes' Norbert Haug, who said: "I don't believe Sebastian Vettel will have complained.
"He will probably come to me … 'that was no disadvantage'," Haug added.
Vettel told reporters afterwards: "He had a better exit than me from the Adelaide hairpin.
"I was inside, to defend my position, and had the better line for curves six and seven. Lewis arrived with more speed; I went from the gas and braked and he kept going.
"For me it was clear that he was going to cut the chicane."
The 20-year-old German said Hamilton would not have been penalized had he immediately let him take back the position.
"He cut the chicane completely. I had a similar situation at the Monaco chicane, when I was too late on the brakes. I overtook two cars but I let them go again and so the issue was settled.
"If someone stays out in front, there is a penalty. I think he should have let me past again because he had a better car and could have passed me again."