F1 Fanatic

@prisoner-monkeys – completely different. As Brundle pointed out, ‘he’s a young chap, he wouldn’t know Sid Watkins very well’.

I’m not saying he doesn’t, but sometimes you’re smaller than you might believe, even as double world champion. Vettel dedicating his win to Watkins isn’t nearly as genuine as Bernie patting his head yesterday during qualifying. In my mind it’s cringeworthy and attention-seeking (it also implies his win would have meant something to Watkins).

And I’m sure if he hadn’t said anything about Dr. Watkins, he’d be criticized by some for that too. Fact is we don’t know how well they knew each other (if at all). I have no problem with him saying what he said.

It’s because of men like Sid Watkins and Sebastian Vettel, who stand out from their peers, that others are encouraged to be the best they can be, even if that does mean being “ordinary”

In any sport where the only real benchmark is your team-mate, or the only way you can excell is to improve the sport for the better, whether you become reviled, or loved depends on how much others wish they were in your shoes, or how much everyone appreciates the work you’ve done. In that respect both men have succeeded spectacularly and should be afforded the appropriate respect.

I think that his ability to carefully translate “on the fly” from his native language may answer the “scripted” critique.

I grew up watching the likes of Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren and John Surtees among many others which means my perspective stems from the days when winning was much more to do with the skill and bravery of the driver and much less to do with technology and I can honestly say that the precision and control displayed by the likes of Alonso, Button, DiResta, Raikonnen and Vettel at every race weekend reminds me more of those “seat of the pants” drivers and less of the “machine operators” who can’t go five races without hitting someone unless they’re in the fastest car and therefore don’t have to work as hard…

The Ferrari/Schumi era was, as many will remember a time where they genuinely had a real advantage over ALL other teams following the deplorable “If we’re not allowed a better deal than everyone else, we won’t race” era and as such the support of an entire country, excellent drivers such as Berger and Barrichello to run interferance, Jean Todt and Ross Brawn’s unparalelled management skills and their unequalled financial platform to work from meant that Schumacher’s dominance was inevitable, rather than earned, so to suggest that Vettel has been “Parachuted” into his position as the best young driver to dominate the sport since it’s inception is quite frankly baffling?

As for “the finger” I would much rather he showed his genuine delight in triumphing over so many more experienced drivers at the end of qualifying, or winning, than exhibit the kind of practiced arrogance and superior attitude as displayed by the likes of Prost, Senna, Schumacher, and a few others during their time at the top. In this respect, his unofficial and unplanned interviews are positively humble in comparison.

I would however prefer to see British drivers on the top step every week, but only if they deserve to be there.

I respect Vettel but i don’t really like him too much.
He sounds a bit plastic to me to be honest; a bit too fake. I don’t get that feeling even with Schumacher before.

People also dislike him being a bit of Mummy’s boy (well, Helmut Marko actually).
Help it or not, some fans are suspicious of Helmut’s influence behind the scenes and the kind of treatment dished out to Webber at Turkey 2010 illustrates especially why; when the fault was immediately pinned on Webber whereas Helmut was pandering to Golden Boy Vettel and ensuring he did not have scratch or had his feelings hurt boo hoo.

There is also doubt whether Webber does receives equal equipment throughout a season. Silverstone 2010 saga was one where the team was eager to switch the front wing from Webber’s car to Vettel (i didn’t buy the story of them doing it because Vettel was leading Webber in the table). Lest anyone say this is nonsense, i would ask how many times have Webber’s car suffered from KERs/gearbox issues this year compared to Vettel? Not saying that the mechanics deliberately sends Webber out on track on 3 wheels and with no steering wheel but they definitely are that bit more careful with Vettel’s car than Webber’s. Such perceptions of unfair treatment meted to his team-mate doesn’t help Vettel’s cause as well; people don’t really like seeing him attain what is perceived to be easy success because the competition has already been tweaked in his favour at his team-mate’s expense.

Throwing a strop at his team whenever Webber has the upper hand or when things aren’t going his way doesn’t help people’s perception of him as all-smiles when things are going well, all-petulance when things go awry.

The strange, or sad, thing really is the double standards. Vettel constantly gets slammed for things that other drivers also do, often to a far worse extend. See above the ridiculous complaints about a winning driver paying his respects to a legend of Formula One. And when you ask them why they apply this double standard, it stays silent.