You can like or dislike 'team orders' all you like...but it's integral to Formula One specifically because F1 is NOT ONLY a Drivers' Championship.
...F1 has a Constructors' Championship which is crucial to the teams on-going commercial viability.
The 'big guys' might be safe.... Fiat has a bottomless pit of cash for Ferrari....[it's actually a company that makes cars and isn't in self-destruct mode a la Detroit], but the little guys NEED the points to offset some of the costs.
Now, the issue here is the hopeless intent to actually explain what F1 is to the ignorant/uncaring. No amount of explanation will counter the attitude/opinion that 'Seb did the right thing'.
He wasn't steering a tank around a left-turn freeway. He was involved in the most sophisticated motor sport category on 4 wheels.
The team orders he ignored could be balanced in Mark's favor if he [Vettel] formally withdrew from the next race.
THAT would be fair.
If he had taken out Webber [and himself] there'd be an incident report written....it'd go to the FIA Stewards...the Observer and the Drivers would be summoned.... we'd all get introduced to each other... video would be replayed...the Observer would recount in his own words what he saw...and the drivers would be asked to add anything. We'd be thanked and requested to wait outside...then the drivers would be asked to return. I wouldn't hear the outcome until it was public knowledge...but in this case I'd bet serious money Vettel would have a 10 place penalty.
OK, last time I was with the FIA stewards it was Berger vs. Arnoux .... which was a long time ago.... but I know how it works...