Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel apologised to Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber on Sunday after ignoring orders and stealing a Malaysian Grand Prix victory from the angry Australian.

"I am the black sheep right now...all I can say is apologies to Mark," the German, seemingly contrite, said after a win that gave Red Bull a one-two finish and him the lead in the championship after two races.

"The pass was deliberate, obviously I wanted to pass him...but I didn't mean to ignore the strategy or the call. I made a mistake, simply."

Webber had driven a masterful race to climb into the lead from fifth on the grid and was told by his team to ease off in the closing stages to protect the car and tyres as he led Vettel and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

Triple world champion Vettel was supposed to do the same but instead attacked and passed his shocked team-mate after a ferocious battle with 12 laps remaining to seal a 27th Grand Prix victory.

The Australian made his feelings evident afterwards, saying only "Multi-21, Seb. Multi-21" - a reference to the team instruction - and giving the German the cold shoulder before they went on to the podium. "He's not a happy camper. How he deals with it down the line we'll wait and see. He'll be frustrated and kicking a few doors around tonight," his father Alan told Britain's ‘Sky’ television.

Wrestling with his emotions, with the occasional heavy sigh, Webber said it would take time to absorb what had happened. "It's still very raw at the moment because we had a plan before the race as we do for most grands prix as to how things will be in a certain scenario," said the 36-year-old, who has accused his team in the past of favouring Vettel.