Vettel: I'm not apologising

[EL_NANDO]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22098438

Sebastian Vettel: I don't apologise for winning following Malaysian GP

World champion Sebastian Vettel says he does not apologise for winning following the controversial Malaysian GP, in which he ignored team orders.

The Red Bull drivers were told to hold station, with team-mate Mark Webber ahead, but Vettel ignored the call and took the win.

Vettel apologised for the overtake after the incident and Red Bull boss Helmut Marko said the row was settled.

But ahead of the Chinese GP, Vettel said: "I don't apologise for winning."

He added: "I think that's why people employed me in the first place and why I'm here. I love racing and that's what I did.

"In Malaysia we were surprised being at the top. The whole race we worked well with the tyres. I think that's what people forgot.

"What stuck in their heads was the way the race ended. There's not much more to add than what happened. I told the team straight after.

"I apologised for putting myself above the team which I didn't mean to do. There's not much more to say."

During the race, which Webber led from lap six, three-time world champion Vettel repeatedly asked the Red Bull management to ask his team-mate to move over for him.

But they ordered him to stay behind Webber, with team principal Christian Horner accusing Vettel of "silly" behaviour.

Vettel, however, maintained his offensive and passed Webber around the outside at Turn Four after their final pit stops.

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Is this guy serious?

- First he acted like he wasn't aware of any team orders.
- Then he claimed he misunderstood a radio message.
- Then he admitted ignoring the message and apologised.
- Now he refuses to apologise?

[Liscia]

Just what did he apologize for? Causing discord in his team by showing his true colors? If that's
all then it's okay by me as it will all come to no good and may work in favor of other teams.

[Katu]

that Vettel is annoying

[number 13]

Haha Vettel what a clown.

First he was like

"I messed up. I would love to come up with a nice excuse or a nice story but I can't. That's the truth," "I can completely understand Mark's frustration and the team not being happy."

And then

"I don't apologise for winning."

I don't want him anywhere near Ferrari.That guy is a clown.

[Kingdom Hearts]

This is the true Vettel not the one we saw in the podium and post-race interview.

[Gerhard Berger]

still don't understand this bit

"I apologised for putting myself above the team which I didn't mean to do."

So he didn't mean to pass Webber, it just happened accidently ?

[wisepie]

Oh for God's sake, if he didn't mean to do it, then why did he? In search of glory, no less. This whole saga will be played out all over again at some point, unless of course our boys can upset the status quo.

[EL_NANDO]

still don't understand this bit

"I apologised for putting myself above the team which I didn't mean to do."

So he didn't mean to pass Webber, it just happened accidently ?

Also when he was asked if he was happy about winnign the race, he said: "No, I'm not. As I said, I did a mistake.

"If I could undo it, I would but I can't so it is not a great feeling right now and surely tonight is not going to be easy to fall asleep. I owe a proper explanation and apology to Mark and the team."

This guy is more classless that I thought...

[FA fan]

Well I think this vettel/mark saga is becoming too annoying on this forum,let's just concentrate on discussing more about both our drivers!! I know the 3 week break was really annoying,but in 2 days time practice starts,and let's hope we have a 1-2 finish:) come qualifying and race

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Well I think this vettel/mark saga is becoming too annoying on this forum,let's just concentrate on discussing more about both our drivers!! I know the 3 week break was really annoying,but in 2 days time practice starts,and let's hope we have a 1-2 finish:) come qualifying and race

Speak for yourself, I'm quite enjoying it. If anyone ever had any doubts about Vettel's character well here it is.

[Tifoso]

Would you want this guy at Ferrari?

Although, in Michael you could argue that Vettel was already here

[Corey]

Hey Marko, looks like your Vettel is getting too involved in politics too

[Greig]

Speak for yourself, I'm quite enjoying it. If anyone ever had any doubts about Vettel's character well here it is.

Win at any cost, just like MS?

[Gerhard Berger]

Schumacher is different. We never really got any indication that he thought he was bigger than team or was prepared to disobey team orders.

[Tifoso]

Schumacher is different. We never really got any indication that he thought he was bigger than team or was prepared to disobey team orders.

I know.

Although, playing footie in the back yard while recovering from a broken leg was a violation of orders from the team

[Greig]

Schumacher is different. We never really got any indication that he thought he was bigger than team or was prepared to disobey team orders.

He ignored a team agreement about no passing each other after the final pitstops (Monaco 05).

[NanoTheQuickest]

He ignored a team agreement about no passing each other after the final pitstops (Monaco 05).

His idol is Schumy and this explains that. No offense to Schum's fans but Vettel's attitude is a true reflection of Michael's. Agreeing with the above, a taste of déjà vu.

[Giallo 550]

The only reason he won was because he disobeyed team orders, so how can he apologize for disobeying the team, while simultaneously saying he won't apologize for winning?

[mark p]

still don't understand this bit

"I apologised for putting myself above the team which I didn't mean to do."

So he didn't mean to pass Webber, it just happened accidently ?

Could be read as i didnt mean to apologise for putting myself ahead of the team. i like what he did as webber might screw him later in the year and this may help ferrari.

[Alonsomaniac]

Imagine this guy in red, talking about the Ferrari team that works for him and owes his enormous talent a great car.....brrrrrrr

[RedRebel40]

I like Vettel, his attitude is a bit like Schumacher's. I hope to see Vettel replacing Alonso in the future.

[OSS EL BOSS]

I like Vettel, his attitude is a bit like Schumacher's. I hope to see Vettel replacing Alonso in the future.

We dont need a driver who is seeing himself above the team and is crying like a baby when he doesnt win

[OSS EL BOSS]

Typical Vettel.

[Katu]

now i wonder who will enjoy listening to - (insert teammates name here) is too slow, get him out of the way.
not a winner mentality to me at least

[Senna4Ever]

Imagine this guy in red

... please don't paint the devil on the wall ...
Puma Ferrari clothes are too expensive to rest them in the carpet for the time when this guy arrives.

And all the reflections between Vettels ans Schumachers character might be true: both men have same skills but Michael was from his first WDC win on a 'bad boy' which is different to the implemented artificial image of Vettel. Vettel presents him and is also presented as the nice boy from neighbourhood who won because he is that earth grounded. That is quiet different to the image of Schumacher. But that's only my point of view....

It is so funny to see how media try to interpret the scene in different way. In Austria (because of this RedBull = Austria = we must hype and support this team) it was always: oh this nice mother in law boy Vettel. He wins and is successful because he is so a nice guy, give seat for old people in the bus, helps old women at their shopping .... After this scene everyone is convinced that Vettel would not haven won that much if would not be that way ... He seems to be one of these guys how can sell everything even if it smells funny or better he can sell part x as yellow and tomorrow as green ... and everybody is happy

Even if the Schumacher area is the most successful it is not my favourite one. I personally like the years with Mansell, Prost, Berger, Alesi, Lauda, more. For me it is more emotional not to be a winner in the straight and emotion belongs to the trade Ferrari ... And in first row it is 7th time champion Schumacher ... not Ferrari ... Ferrari appears only if you go deeper and in detail. But also a personal note ... please apologize if it doesn't fit to yours.

[EL_NANDO]

http://www.espn.co.uk/redbull/motors...ry/105092.html

Sebastian Vettel admits he was "indirectly" paying back Mark Webber in Malaysia for previous situations between the two drivers.

Following Vettel's decision to ignore team orders and overtake Webber to win the race at Sepang, occasions when Webber has done similar have been cited in Vettel's defence. Having said "I respect Mark as a driver but there were more than one occasions in the past where he could have helped the team but he didn't", Vettel was asked if he was "paying him back" for not getting his team-mate's help in Brazil last year, to which he replied: "Probably you could say indirectly so.

"But as I tried to explain after the race in my opinion it's always best to be truthful. Maybe sometimes the truth is not what the people want to hear because as you can see controversy is more popular than the truth. I told you after the race what happened; I was racing, as a racing driver I was solely focused on winning the race. I got a call on the radio which I heard but I didn't understand at the time.

"I should have understood, that's why I apologised to the team because in my action I put myself above the team but that wasn't my intention. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

Vettel added that he didn't feel he was beyond reproach despite not being sanctioned by the team.

"I did speak up and I did apologise, and I meant it. Sanction, as in punishment? What do you expect? Maybe it's a little bit of a dreamland you all live in but what do you expect to happen? Make a suggestion... I think we dealt with it internally. As I said, I did apologise to the team, I took it very seriously. I went to see the team as soon as I could - the whole team, not just the people working here - and I told them as well."

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Showing his true colours again. Not a good look.

[OSS EL BOSS]

http://www.espn.co.uk/redbull/motors...ry/105092.html

Sebastian Vettel admits he was "indirectly" paying back Mark Webber in Malaysia for previous situations between the two drivers.

Following Vettel's decision to ignore team orders and overtake Webber to win the race at Sepang, occasions when Webber has done similar have been cited in Vettel's defence. Having said "I respect Mark as a driver but there were more than one occasions in the past where he could have helped the team but he didn't", Vettel was asked if he was "paying him back" for not getting his team-mate's help in Brazil last year, to which he replied: "Probably you could say indirectly so.

"But as I tried to explain after the race in my opinion it's always best to be truthful. Maybe sometimes the truth is not what the people want to hear because as you can see controversy is more popular than the truth. I told you after the race what happened; I was racing, as a racing driver I was solely focused on winning the race. I got a call on the radio which I heard but I didn't understand at the time.

"I should have understood, that's why I apologised to the team because in my action I put myself above the team but that wasn't my intention. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

Vettel added that he didn't feel he was beyond reproach despite not being sanctioned by the team.

"I did speak up and I did apologise, and I meant it. Sanction, as in punishment? What do you expect? Maybe it's a little bit of a dreamland you all live in but what do you expect to happen? Make a suggestion... I think we dealt with it internally. As I said, I did apologise to the team, I took it very seriously. I went to see the team as soon as I could - the whole team, not just the people working here - and I told them as well."

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Showing his true colours again. Not a good look.

Really unbelieveable this guy! He is behaving like a little child!
And there are still people who want to see him driving for Ferrari

[F2008]

Would you want this guy at Ferrari?

Although, in Michael you could argue that Vettel was already here

Vettel wouldn't fit in Ferrari's philosophy since Ross Brawn left. Look at what he's doing at Mercedes, only 2nd race and already picked a number one driver. Since 2007 both Ferrari drivers always started on equal terms and drove for the team, not themselves like Vettel.

[EL_NANDO]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106631

Red Bull team orders row: Vettel says he would probably do it again

Sebastian Vettel says he would probably disregard team orders and pass Mark Webber again if the Malaysian Grand Prix situation was repeated, as he does not believe the Australian deserved victory.

Despite apologising to the Red Bull team for his decision to contravene its 'multi 21' hold position request and overtake Webber in a fierce late-race battle, Vettel told reporters including AUTOSPORT in China on Thursday that Webber had not assisted him in the past and was not entitled to the Sepang win.

Vettel argued that he had misunderstood the team's message, yet admitted that even if he had comprehended, his actions would likely not have changed.

Asked if he would do the same again, Vettel replied: "I am not sure I can give you a proper answer because in the moment it might be different, but I would probably do the same.

"Had I understood the message and had I thought about it, reflected on it, thought what the team wanted to do, to leave Mark in first place and me finishing second... I think I would have thought about it and I would probably have done the same thing.

"He didn't deserve it.

"There is quite a conflict, because on the one hand I am the kind of guy who respects team decisions and the other hand, probably Mark is not the one who deserved it at the time."

Vettel and Webber have long had a fractious relationship, and the reigning world champion intimated that their history impacted on his Malaysian GP actions.

"I never had support from his side," Vettel said. "I have a lot of support from the team, and the team has supported both of us the same way.

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Seriously?!

[Dino]

Sebastian Vettel: I may disobey Red Bull orders again
By Andrew Benson

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel says he would "probably" ignore team orders again if he was instructed not to challenge team-mate Mark Webber.

Vettel was asked if he would repeat his actions from the Malaysian Grand Prix.

He said: "I'm not sure I can give a proper answer because in the moment it might be different but I would probably do the same."

Vettel added his move was "indirectly" a form of payback for what he said was a lack of past support from Webber.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22106490