Vettel expects no fall-out over Whiting comments

2016 Mexican Grand Prix

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Sebastian Vettel shrugged off questions over whether he could be charged with bringing the sport into disrepute after swearing at race director Charlie Whiting during the Mexican Grand Prix.

A frustrated Vettel swore more than once at Whiting after Max Verstappen cut the first corner on the track to keep Vettel behind him. Verstappen was later penalised for the incident, promoting Vettel to third place.

2016 Mexican Grand Prix in pictures
Asked after the race about his comments to Whiting Vettel said: “I went immediately to see him so I think… look I don’t understand why you’re making a fuss and why you’re asking the question.”

“For sure it’s not the right thing to say. Equally, in my defence, emotions and adrenaline is running high.”

“Out of respect I went to him and told him what I did. I think he’s aware. And that’s it.” Asked how Whiting responded Vettel answered “that’s none of your business”.

In 1997 Jacques Villeneuve was formally reprimanded by the FIA World Motor Sport Council for publicly describing a planned rules change for 1998 as “shit”. Vettel’s comments were made over his car radio which is made available for Formula One Management to broadcast.

Vettel remains under investigation for an incident involving Daniel Ricciardo in the closing stages of the race.

2016 Mexican Grand Prix

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    20 comments on “Vettel expects no fall-out over Whiting comments”

    1. Anthony Blears
      30th October 2016, 23:21

      I’m glad FOM broadcast that message, but they didn’t have to. Aren’t they somewhat complicit?

      1. I would argue not, as all the teams are able to hear each others’ messages and so it’s not as if this was Vettel saying something in private to Whiting or just to his team.

        I’d hate to see drivers being censored but I think a line has to be drawn somewhere. I’m not aware that Vettel has said sorry for his comments (please correct me if I’m wrong) so I think a formal apology would be a good starting point.

        1. Very Gradually, a very decent, well mannered young German guy who came to dominate F1
          over a four year period as a superb driver has begun to destroy all the fine relationship he has
          had with F1 enthusiasts the world over. This is a developing tragedy and someone with a
          very forthright manner whom he will respect needs to have a really hard talk with this sadly
          deluded man.

          1. I think we saw that Vettel had no decency as early as 2010, when he drove his team mate off the track in Turkey.

            Vettel involving a team of lawyers to escape punishment after the notorious ‘Multi 21’ incident during the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix simply confirmed his lack of decency.

            Not a gradual process at all – have you forgotten the booing?

            1. As far as I know it’s Webber who gave Vettel barely any space in Turkey.

              And a driver disobeying team orders isn’t anything new.

            2. As far as I know it’s Vettel who ran into Webber in Turkey @paeschli.

        2. Why should he apologize? Whiting hasn’t been doing his job for ages. Note the near-unanimity from drivers post-race that Hamilton should have been penalized for gaining an advantage at the start, yet Whiting did nothing. Previous race, Alonso was going three car widths beyond the outer extent of the track limits — far more than any other driver — lap after lap and gaining an advantage, yet again Whiting did nothing. And it’s been the same story all year: The rules are enforced only when Whiting feels like it, and ignored the rest of the time.

          You shouldn’t have to swear at Whiting to get him to do his job. You also shouldn’t have to worry that swearing at him will cause him to act unsportingly in return. Whiting is clearly no longer fit for purpose, and should resign.

    2. Hope he get a ban for arrogrance in saying he doesnt expect fall out from what he said!!

      1. Yes and Ricciardo should get 25 seconds added to his race time when he is not smiling in the track parade.

        That’ll teach them, those arrogants!

    3. Mark in Florida
      31st October 2016, 0:17

      Vettle should have waited till after the race and went all NASCAR on that punk. That would have helped that young man gain some life perspective.

    4. No worries Seb, what could they possibly do to punish you !?

      1. Make him drink RedBull from Ricciardo’s soiled shoes…

      2. They could put him in a McLaren for 2017…

        1. hahaha +1

    5. He should definitely be penalized for it. He’s an arrogant whiner who has just gotten worse as the season has gone on. It’s sad. If they don’t penalize him then that sets a bad precedent for the others.

    6. I use to have respect for Vettle , the pressure is getting to him. We are all human but the crying and whining got to stop… He is lucky #3 race craft and spatial awareness avoided the accident from the German..

      1. I think unless you are Michael Schumacher the stress of working for Ferrari is almost unbearable. Think about it, when were Massa, Kimi, Alonso and Barrichello most stressed? Every single one of them expressed relief and said how much more they enjoyed racing at other teams when they left Ferrari.

    7. If only they’d heard Jacques back then… 1997 was glorious…

    8. Disrepute?! That was the most entertaining piece all year!
      Exactly what the sport needs: some genuine emotions.
      May that be joy or frustration or whatever a driver feels.

    9. Ferrari is bad for the nerves.

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