Vettel In Trouble

[strad]

I think the FIA is being a little harsh as I don't think Seb has been any more a disappointed spoiled brat than many others...

Sebastian Vettel has been warned by the FIA, that he should re-consider his manner when not winning.

In 2010 and 2011, Sebastian Vettel´s finger was everywhere and the grin on the young German´s face got wider and brighter, as the titles came closer. But in the face of adversity, Vettel is portrayed as a sulky teen, who hasn´t been allowed to borrow daddy´s car.

After the European Grand Prix in Valencia, in which Vettel retired, he was clearly not happy with the result. After climbing out of the cockpit of his car, the 24-year old threw away his gloves and looked very angry. After the race, he commented that the safety car was brought out to disrupt his race, and even went as far as saying, that he suspected a conspiracy. This comment has angered many fans especially after Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko agreed that he thought a conspiracy had taken place.

Last Thursday, the Kölner Express, a Cologne-based tabloid, reported that Vettel has been placed under a sort of probation for his comments.

“We know that, quite often, Vettel tend to use a rough tone after a disappointment. He is not a good role model, because of this,” said an unnamed FIA official.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Claiming that the FIA conspired to bring out a safety car to ruin his race is a bit too much don't you agree? I don't think any kind of "probation" for such comments is appropriate but a reprimand behind the scenes would suffice, IMHO.

[wesley123]

The 'probation' is completely in place. He might have won on a regular basis last year and the year before, but that doesnt mean that now it suddenly is a conspiracy against hi. No your tea didnt got the alternator right, sure why not blame the FIA for it. This comment was way out of place and he certainly deserved this.

[marcush.]

Let´s look back into the dark times when some J-M-Balestre was FIA Capo and wasnot happy with Sennas behaviour .. he basically was forced to give in if he wanted to go on racing in those days....as Balestre simply did refuse to issue a Superlicence to him..
So what we see here is nothint really and in in all honesty Marko should have got a wack for maintaining that position .The safety car was necessary and really a second one was justified as well.
Having worked with some drivers i´m still amazed how well formula 1 drivers can compose themselves after a race ...my personal experience is :don´t ever listen or take for granted what a race driver says in the aftermath of getting out of the car after a race -this special state of mind usually evaporates within 1 hour or so ....

[strad]

don´t ever listen or take for granted what a race driver says in the aftermath of getting out of the car after a race -this special state of mind usually evaporates within 1 hour or so

I very much agree. While the red mist is still before their eyes, they might say anything.

[bhallg2k]

So, what's Marko's excuse?

I don't think these comments are the result of the heat of the moment; I think they reflect a genuine belief that "the man" is out to get them.

First the Schumacher/Mercedes conspiracy theories and now this. I think something is in the water in Germany these days.

[DaveKillens]

I checked the official FIA web site to confirm this "probation". I did see an article on this issue, detailing Vettel's initial reaction to the retirement.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/articles/europe/Pages/sunday-3.aspx

So until I can see something more substantial than a rumor from a German paper, I'm sceptical and require proof.

[Lycoming]

so, it wasn't a conspiracy the half dozen times it happened last season?

[strad]

Vettel's theory did not escape the attention of the governing FIA, who have placed the reigning world champion on a sort of unofficial 'probation'.

I have not seen official confirmation but the story has legs.

[strad]

HAHAHA'''I hadn't heard the exact quotes...

“It just went to ---,” Vettel said of his race on German Sky. “I think itwas clear to see that we were pulling
away without problems. I think we could have been spared the Safety Car
period. “I think the reason is clear,” the Red Bull driver went on to say. “I don't think there was a danger. There were
pieces on the track earlier and it was acceptable. I think, in a sense, the Safety Car was to break our neck.” Vettel’s post-race comments would have been dismissed as the regrettable, in the heat of the moment remarks made by a passionate racer fresh from the cockpit were it not for the fact that the defending champion’s thoughts were echoed by Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko. “Vettel was too far ahead and so the field was brought back together,” Marko said of the Valencia Safety Car. But Marko appears to be convinced of a wider conspiracy against Red Bull this season, telling Austrian website motorline.cc that paddock politics make him paranoid. “When you think about the course of a race weekend, it all sounds so nice and so simple, but it's very different in reality,” Marko said. “There is so much politics involved. If Martin Whitmarsh wishes me a pleasant day, I get really nervous and wonder what is up.”

Do you think it's not so much Vettel they want to punish as Marko?

[Red Schneider]

I don't see the big deal. So he runs his mouth a little. Such extreme levels of focus and commitment might make you a little nuts. Besides, to my mind it just adds a little publicity and drama. If Vettel/Red Bull play the bad guy, so what? On a slightly related note, the amount of ass-kissing between drivers these days is becoming puke-worthy.

It was kind of amusing to see Vettel throw his gloves given the success he's had, but he wants it all and I commend him for his determination. I'm more sympathetic to outbursts in response to things he doesn't control (e.g. mechanical failure, safety car) than to outbursts in response to things he does control (e.g. Turkey 2010).

He's bitter that the safety car allegedly screwed him over. News at 11.

[Nando]

[andartop]

Is it cause he is white?

[Diff-user]

Is it cause he is white?

This reminds me of Hamilton's words in a post race interview mid season last year when he was asked about the unusual number of times the steward's called him up to have a word with him that season "may be because i am black".... i believe he said that in part jest part frustration.....

White or black has not much of a role to play i believe.... they are there to showcase their racing not to showcase their race...

[Red Schneider]

Andartop is obviously joking about that incident. Incidentally, I thought Hamilton's joke was pretty funny (or would have been if he had said it with a smile).

FIA ain't got no funny bone.