04/11/2015
NEWS STORY
Sebastian Vettel admits to being confused by Germany's lack of interest in F1 these days.
He might have finished a distant eighth, but Sergio Perez was lauded like a god throughout the weekend of his home Grand Prix.
His every move was cheered to the rafters, and whilst he never threatened the Red Bull or Williams duos, far less the Mercedes, the Mexican must have come away feeling as if he had won the race, such was overwhelming support he received.
The support wasn't lost on four-time champion Sebastian Vettel who has never experienced such passionate support in his own country even when he was following in the footsteps of countryman Michael Schumacher and dominating the sport.
Though Hockenheim sports a stadium section not entirely dissimilar to that in Mexico, never did the German crowd show anything like the passion. Indeed, due to a combination of factors, not least falling attendances in recent years, this year Germany slipped from the calendar.
"Being completely honest, I don't know what happened in Germany," Vettel told the German media. "It was great but in the last few years it was not full in Germany.
"I think there were more German flags here than in Germany," he added, referring to the Mexican event. "I don't know what is wrong."
"Maybe people are tired," he suggested. "Maybe tickets are too expensive. Maybe people are realistic about how much money they spend.
"It is a shame to see over the year less and less of a crowd," he admitted, "even though German drivers are fighting for victories. It is a bit of a shame, but it seems in other countries, people are a bit more passionate about racing."