Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has slammed Bernie Ecclestone for calling Ferrari's request for clarification over Sebastian Vettel's driving "a joke".

Ecclestone reacted angrily to Ferrari's approach to the FIA asking whether Vettel had overtaken Jean-Eric Vergne under yellow flags on lap 4 of the title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph he said: "It's a complete joke. What they [Ferrari] are saying in that letter is wrong. I don't think there needs to be any action taken. It's completely and utterly wrong."

Montezemolo, however, has responded to Ecclestone's comments with some harsh words of his own.

"Ecclestone? You have to show respect for your elders, especially when they get to that stage in which they are no longer in control of what they say," Montezemolo is quoted by La Gazetta dello Sport. "However, old age is clearly incompatible with certain roles and responsibilities."

Focusing on the outcome of the request, Montezemolo was keen to congratulate Vettel, saying he "deserved" to win the championship.

"The FIA declared that for them there had been no infringement and so the matter was closed. Congratulations to Vettel and Red Bull because whoever won after such a difficult season deserved the title and because at Ferrari that is what we do. And we would like everyone to congratulate us next season if we win the world championship.

"We were nevertheless one of the main protagonists this season. We challenged for the title right till the end and next year will be very important for us. The most important thing is to be there at the top. We will have to work very hard to give our two drivers a winning car."