Mark Webber said Sebastian Vettel ignored Red Bull team instructions to steal Malaysian Grand Prix victory from him.

Vettel passed Webber for the lead in a fraught late battle in which they went closely wheel to wheel several times.

Team radio messages to Vettel included a suggestion that his actions were “silly” and later that he “had explaining to do”.

In the drivers’ room after the race, Webber angrily confronting Vettel with the phrase “multi 21″, believed to be team code for holding station.

Webber confirmed in an icy podium interview that Red Bull had asked the team to cruise to the end in order but Vettel had ignored that instruction.

“After the last stop the team told me the race was over and we turned the engine down to go to the end,” said Webber.

“I want to race as well, but in the end the team made a decision which we always say before the start of the race is how it’s probably going to be: we look after the tyres and get the cars to the end.

“In the end Seb made his own decisions today and will have protection as usual, and that’s the way it goes.

“I turned my engine down and started cruising on the tyres, and then the fight was on.

“I was disappointed with the outcome of today’s race.”