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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Even while suffering his first retirement of 2011 back-to-back F1 World champion Sebastian Vettel could not resist working hard.
While other drivers normally retire to their quarters the 24-year-old German mounted the Red Bull pit-wall and remained there for the entire Abu Dhabi race.
'GOING TO BE 5 LAPS'
He is quoted by Kurier newspaper as admitting he had "learned something" from the experience and even taken an active role in the race strategy deployed for his team mate Mark Webber.
"At first I only wanted to stay for five laps," he revealed.
Team consultant Dr Helmut Marko was asked if Vettel might enjoy a post-racing future on the pits wall. "That is still far away," he smiled, "but what he had to contribute was very enlightening."
In reality, the entire F1 paddock - Vettel included - is now eagerly awaiting the chequered flag in Brazil and then the 2012 season, when a World championship is once again at stake. Vettel was quoted by AS newspaper as predicting a tough contest involving his team mate Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso, the McLaren drivers and possibly a Mercedes.
He added: "Winning this year proved that 2010 was not just bad luck for the others and good luck for me."
While other drivers normally retire to their quarters the 24-year-old German mounted the Red Bull pit-wall and remained there for the entire Abu Dhabi race.
'GOING TO BE 5 LAPS'
He is quoted by Kurier newspaper as admitting he had "learned something" from the experience and even taken an active role in the race strategy deployed for his team mate Mark Webber.
"At first I only wanted to stay for five laps," he revealed.
Team consultant Dr Helmut Marko was asked if Vettel might enjoy a post-racing future on the pits wall. "That is still far away," he smiled, "but what he had to contribute was very enlightening."
In reality, the entire F1 paddock - Vettel included - is now eagerly awaiting the chequered flag in Brazil and then the 2012 season, when a World championship is once again at stake. Vettel was quoted by AS newspaper as predicting a tough contest involving his team mate Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso, the McLaren drivers and possibly a Mercedes.
He added: "Winning this year proved that 2010 was not just bad luck for the others and good luck for me."
