Vettel: I was not the reason for Kvyat's demotion

Sebastian Vettel has expressed some sympathy for the plight of Daniil Kvyat, following the Russian's sudden demotion from Red Bull, the team for with whom he won four Formula 1 world titles.

22-year-old Kvyat, who actually replaced Vettel at the energy drink company's premier F1 team in 2015, will spend the rest of the season with Toro Rosso.

The demotion follows two consecutive run-ins with Ferrari's Vettel: the first in China in the form of a pre-podium argument, and again in Russia when Kvyat punted the German out of the race on the first lap.

Asked what the furious Vettel told Red Bull officials on the Sochi pitwall, Helmut Marko admitted: "We need to have a serious word with Kvyat, and he's right."

But Vettel does not think his run-ins with Kvyat are the reason he subsequently lost his seat.

"I don't think it has something to do with what happened in the last two races," the quadruple world champion told Auto Bild, "but for sure it's not so nice for him."

Vettel said he has no hard feelings, "I'm absolutely fine with him. He is a nice guy but for sure the situation is not pleasant or easy for him."

Immediately after the incident Vettel was raging over the radio, but he toned down his comments after 'hijacking' a scooter and rider back to the pits where he told reporters, "I got a big hit, I was lucky not to spin and then got another huge hit which turned me around and I couldn't avoid the barriers," he said.

"These things happen - there is nothing I could have done differently. I think there was enough damage to conclude I couldn't continue. If anyone needs to talk to anyone, I think it's him [Kvyat]…" added the Ferrari driver.

Kvyat was contrite and admitted, "All the mess came from me… of course it doesn't feel great but these things happen sometimes. It's probably the messiest [start] of my career. I will learn from it - and of course apologies to everyone involved."

I think we will speak [with Vettel and Ricciardo], that's all we can do. Everyone will attack me, but I'm okay with that," added the Russian immediately after the race in Russia.