28/10/2013
NEWS STORY
Having previously claimed that booing from race 'fans' motivated him to perform better, Sebastian Vettel now admits that it sometimes got to him.
His fourth successive title secured, a feat that puts him in such legendary company as Fangio, Prost and Schumacher, albeit at a much younger age, asked on the Buddh podium about the booing that greeted some of his previous victories this season, the 26-year-old finally opened up.
To receive boos, even though you haven't done anything wrong, to overcome that and to give the right answer on the track and finally get the acceptance that I think we're all looking for as racing drivers… it makes me very proud to join people like Prost, Fangio and Michael," he told David Coulthard.
When Gazzetta dello Sport's Paolo Ianieri subsequently apologised for the booing at previous races, claiming that it emanated from Ferrari fans, Vettel replied: "I'm not blaming the Ferrari fans. I tried to make the example, unfortunately nowadays the world is ticking so quickly that people are not always listening exactly to what I'm saying or what I'm trying to say.
"I don't blame the people that booed," he continued. "If I go to the football stadium, for example, I cheer for the home team. The first moment you maybe don't appreciate the outside or the away team to score a goal, the guy who actually scored a goal you don't appreciate him being an amazing player and you might boo because other people boo. So in that regard, I think I know how to put it but like I said, obviously it doesn't feel great but if you have a love for.. for example for Ferrari or McLaren... I had actually one guy writing a letter after Singapore. He apologised because he was in the crowd and he was booing and he apologised that he was booing, it was the wrong thing to do. I think if people think about it they understand but in the heat of the moment, you know, there's nobody really to blame. Somebody starts, some people join in, others don't. We are fans of the sport and if some people have a passion for Ferrari, which they might have for good reason, they've been around for quite a while, they don't like it if somebody else wins. It's not necessarily my fault. I think I'm mature enough to understand that."
When it was suggested that some blame him for F1 becomming boring - a myth perpetuated by sections of the British media in particular - ther youngster said: "I don't blame people. They boo because they are Ferrari fans. At the time it hurts, as I said, not to get the reception that you expect but at the same time, I think I'm clever enough to understand why they do it. I'm not blaming them.
"Maybe if I would be a fan of McLaren, Ferrari, whatever, one of the traditional teams, I wouldn't like it if the same kind of guys, same team wins again and again. I think the most important thing for me is to get the respect from people that I know and people that I race against. I feel respected amongst the drivers. Sure you have to fight to get that respect when you come in but I'm not blaming the fans. It's very difficult for the fans, to be honest, to understand what's going on behind the scenes because they get a little of an idea of who we are but it's impossible for everyone to introduce yourself and to explain what kind of guy you are. But then again, it's nice to give a little bit back to people you meet, at the hotel, at the track, outside of the track, maybe when you're shopping, people that recognise you. Therefore, I think it's important that you get the respect from people that you really know. Others, I think, will always struggle, there will always be pros and cons, speaking for and against you."
As if proof of his dedication were needed, when it was pointed that he didn't return to his hotel until over six hours after qualifying, he said: "I spend a lot of time at the track, looking at stuff, writing my reports and trying to give feedback... but also to be honest, last night I had dinner here at the circuit.
"Many times people complain about the paddock and the people; to be honest with you, I'm not like that, I enjoy being here and spending time with people that you know. I had an interesting discussion last night with a journalist. I like the paddock, it's not like a prison to me. People say when you cross the entrance it's like being in a circus but I think it's what you make of the circus also. If you come in with a negative mind-set then for sure you will have a bad time."
And demonstrating that he is just as awe-struck as the rest of us.
"This morning, when I looked at the car and also yesterday to be honest, I looked at it and it's a small piece of kit," he said. "It's not very big. A truck is bigger, any truck you can buy on the road is bigger but imagine the speed this car can travel with you behind the wheel. It's amazing. I just appreciate that fact, you know. Whether you finish first, second, 15th or last, it doesn't really matter, but I think it's something unique, that we get to feel, we get to enjoy. I appreciate that and hopefully this kind of feeling never changes.