Vettel was given a 10-second stop/go penalty for dangerous driving after side-swiping Hamilton's Mercedes as they prepared for the second restart in the Baku F1 race.

The German was also awarded three penalty points for a total of nine over the past 12 months.

Drivers get a one-race ban if they reach 12 penalty points.

The Ferrari had hit the rear of the Mercedes moments before, which Vettel said was due to Hamilton brake-testing him.

"It was quite obvious. I didn't run into the back of him on purpose," he told Channel 4."I damaged my wing, I think he had a little bit of damage as well. Nothing that would have impacted on the race.

"It's just not the way to do it. He's done it a couple of times. Afterwards his restart was really good. He surprised me and jumped me, so I don't think it was necessary.

"The problem is with me right behind, getting ready and all the other cars, then there's a chain reaction. He did something similar a couple of years ago in China at a restart. It's just not the way to do it.

"I think it was very clear. In the end, we're racing as men. I don't have a radio to him. I think if I get a penalty then we should both get a penalty."

Vettel declined to answer direct questions on the second contact that occurred when he pulled alongside Hamilton to gesticulate at him.

"We're all grown-ups, we're men," said Vettel. "Emotions are running high in the car. We want to race wheel to wheel, but not when it's [before] the restart."

He denied that the incident would make what has so far been a good-natured championship battle more fractious.

"It's still respectful. I don't have a problem with him," said Vettel."I think it's just one action today that was wrong and I think if I got penalised then he should get penalised.

"Probably every Sunday in the Premier League you have referees blowing the whistle and some players agreeing and some disagreeing. That's sport.

"For sure 10 seconds is an awful long time when you stand there and you have nothing to do."