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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.
The logical solution to any situation where the situation can be variable is to “Hedge your bets” and by having one driver who is going to give you 99.9% of a car’s performance without breaking it too often and one who can get 100.5% out if it, but will bin it by trying too hard a little more regularly, the team’s interests are benefitted equally by both drivers and as such, the remuneration for their efforts should also be equal in my opinion.
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.
Brands Hatch at the age of age six, I think In a double-adult sidecar, attached to a 1940s Triumph, driven by my short-sighted (and rather dangerous) grandfather.
I still enjoy watching every race. I just filter out the politics, ignore the rule bending (and occasionally smashing) by some teams and the rediculous state of affairs that leave us watching sub-standard drivers wasting the tallent of brilliant engineers, because those who wield the power have permitted big business to hijack the sport and drive all but the most wealthy independant owners out.
Apologies to everyone for any bad spelling and for making my first post sounds like a rant, by a grumpy old git, … I’ll try to behave more graciously in future. (can’t guarantee anything though)
