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Being booed after winning, Sebastian Vettel, has admitted, did get to him after some 2013 races - but then he's come up with the perfect ripose - the Formula 1 championship.
GREATER NOIDA, India - An emotional Sebastian Vettel Sunday admitted it was tough to deal with being booed - but said he found the perfect riposte by winning the Formula 1 championship yet again.
The likeable Vettel, 26, said booing and jeering which greeted his wins in Belgium, Italy and Singapore, as he took control of the 2013 season, had come as a shock but he won the Indian GP to seal a fourth consecutive World title, said he was glad he had managed to answer his critics with his performances on the track.
TIFISO TO BLAME
Vettel said: "To be booed when I had done nothing wrong was hard but I think I answered the things on the track which I am very pleased about. I don't blame the people who booed me. It does not feel great. In fact one guy wrote a letter and apologised that he was booing. He felt bad about it.
"We are all part of the sport. If some people have passion for Ferrari for some reason, it's all right. It is not necessarily my fault. I am mature enough to understand that."
The booing, which Vettel had blamed on a small section of disgruntled Ferrari fans, has been an unfortunate feature of the season.
Vettel first attracted criticism when he ignored team orders and overtook Red Bull stablemate Mark Webber to win the 2013 Malaysian GP. And while he has been putting together a six-race winning streak to clinch the championship, Vettel also heard complaints that he was making the sport boring.
OBEDIENT DRIVER?
The young German was anything but staid in his celebrations at Buddh International Circuit, where he smoked donuts in his Red Bull before bowing in front of the car in mock worship.
Vettel, who was also lifted onto the shoulders of Nico Rosberg and Romain Grosjean, who were second and third, called it simply the "best day of his life". "I am speechless," a visibly drained Vettel said. "I spent ages thinking what to say, there is so much you want to say at a time like this. I'm overwhelmed. It is the best day of my life so far."
He also paid warm tribute to his Red Bull team, which has now won the Drivers' and Constructors' titles for four seasons in a row.
Vettel said: "The guys are working very hard behind the scenes. And when you see their paychecks, you would be surprised. It would seem they were working at McDonald's. When I started to race F1 seemed so far away but there are so many people I have to thank along the way from karting to here.
"I was taught so many things and I have always tried to listen but to come out on top of this incredibly talented field is amazing. I am not old yet but I am getting older and maybe I am not grasping it yet. Maybe after 10 years I will look back and realise the enormity."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
GREATER NOIDA, India - An emotional Sebastian Vettel Sunday admitted it was tough to deal with being booed - but said he found the perfect riposte by winning the Formula 1 championship yet again.
The likeable Vettel, 26, said booing and jeering which greeted his wins in Belgium, Italy and Singapore, as he took control of the 2013 season, had come as a shock but he won the Indian GP to seal a fourth consecutive World title, said he was glad he had managed to answer his critics with his performances on the track.
TIFISO TO BLAME
Vettel said: "To be booed when I had done nothing wrong was hard but I think I answered the things on the track which I am very pleased about. I don't blame the people who booed me. It does not feel great. In fact one guy wrote a letter and apologised that he was booing. He felt bad about it.
"We are all part of the sport. If some people have passion for Ferrari for some reason, it's all right. It is not necessarily my fault. I am mature enough to understand that."
The booing, which Vettel had blamed on a small section of disgruntled Ferrari fans, has been an unfortunate feature of the season.
Vettel first attracted criticism when he ignored team orders and overtook Red Bull stablemate Mark Webber to win the 2013 Malaysian GP. And while he has been putting together a six-race winning streak to clinch the championship, Vettel also heard complaints that he was making the sport boring.
OBEDIENT DRIVER?
The young German was anything but staid in his celebrations at Buddh International Circuit, where he smoked donuts in his Red Bull before bowing in front of the car in mock worship.
Vettel, who was also lifted onto the shoulders of Nico Rosberg and Romain Grosjean, who were second and third, called it simply the "best day of his life". "I am speechless," a visibly drained Vettel said. "I spent ages thinking what to say, there is so much you want to say at a time like this. I'm overwhelmed. It is the best day of my life so far."
He also paid warm tribute to his Red Bull team, which has now won the Drivers' and Constructors' titles for four seasons in a row.
Vettel said: "The guys are working very hard behind the scenes. And when you see their paychecks, you would be surprised. It would seem they were working at McDonald's. When I started to race F1 seemed so far away but there are so many people I have to thank along the way from karting to here.
"I was taught so many things and I have always tried to listen but to come out on top of this incredibly talented field is amazing. I am not old yet but I am getting older and maybe I am not grasping it yet. Maybe after 10 years I will look back and realise the enormity."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
