I was surprised at the comments from three ex F1 drivers at the time. I understand their sentiments that it potentially robbed both themselves and viewers of a race between two top drivers in rival cars - something that many people have been looking forward to for some time. However, the sport like any/all others has specific rules that ensure fair racing, and also more importantly, safe racing.
If you leave a track then it is absolutely fundamental that you rejoin the race safely. That does not mean placing your car in the way of another at a speed that is not comparable. I knew instantly that it was a calculated move on behalf of Vettel. I would be intrigued to see the telemetry from the incident. I would suggest that when he rejoined the track he was accelerating hard in order to minimise his time loss, this in turn would reduce rear traction, hence the car stepping out (this would be unlikely to occur at neutral throttle) so it is absolutely clear that he did not attempt to join the track safely, but as quickly as possible. I'm quite sure that the telemetry would also show that the lateral force on the car was at a minimal figure that would not cause a slide. He knew exactly where Hamilton would be and chose to block off his path.
In a similar position, I imagine that most drivers would similarly try and defend their position after an error in exactly the same way - that does not make it correct though. So yes, in my view the decision was absolutely correct, and I do not understand why Brundle, Button and Chandhok came to a different conclusion.
Finally, the fact that Vettel refused to accept the decision of the Stewards speaks volumes for where he is at the moment. He is not thinking straight, it reminds me when he swerved at Hamilton at Baku during a safety car restart, he literally gets a red mist and loses complete perspective. Similarly his decision to boycott the presentation at the end of the race was equally childish - he has contractual obligations to his team and the sport and I have no doubt they were pointed out to him in no uncertain terms hence his later attendance. His decision making capacity is deeply flawed.
The best way to have proceeded would have been to bring leclerc in to play. Slow Hamilton down, allow Leclerc to get on to him and see how it played out. Either way they would have a Ferrari 2, 3 on the podium but could have had a Ferrari 1, 3, or even a 1, 2. If I'd been a steward I would have banned him from the final result for not presenting his car at the winners area just to teach him another lesson. He is privileged to compete in a sophisticated sport, the rewards for which are substantial and he is becoming increasingly a liability.