Vettel on Webber/Sepang episode: He didn’t deserve it

sepang podium

I’m sure Formula 1 fans still have the Malaysian GP fresh in their minds, not so much for the actual racing, but the explosive battle of the Red Bull teammates that started when Seb Vettel ignored team orders to pass race leader Mark Webber. The triple world champ (recently announced as Infiniti Director of Performance) later apologised, but here’s proof that he never really meant it.

The F1 circus is in Shanghai now for the Chinese GP, and Vettel told reporters yesterday that he would probably disregard team orders and pass Mark Webber again if the Sepang situation was repeated, as he does not believe the Australian deserved victory. He added that Webber had not assisted him in the past and was not entitled to the Sepang win.

When asked by hacks 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.”

2013MalaysianGP_report15

Vettel explained that he had misunderstood the team’s message. However, he admitted that even if he had got it loud and clear, he would have done 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,” Seb added.

It’s now clear that Vettel has no remorse for his actions, so we can look forward to more Vettel-Webber drama this season, which of course, has just started. Thoughts?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • he has become too arrogant

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 10
    • tricycle on Apr 12, 2013 at 5:02 pm

      Yeah, that how you do it! Even if Webber fought back with full engine power he won’t be able to beat Vettel in Sepang.

      If Webber could, he would probably do it. So stop crying and prove to all F1 fans that you (Webber) deserve to be F1 Champion.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 27
      • webber use hard tyre, sure slower than vettel. red bull use ‘back up’ strategy to prevent vettel wear out his tyre.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • Mat Global on Apr 13, 2013 at 11:19 am

        Vettel is one masturbater. Not team player. Sneaky and cannot be trusted.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • Jimmy on Apr 15, 2013 at 12:59 pm

        Vettel is a snake as far as I am concerned. When you work in office, you will know, working in a team is very important. we must follow the chain of command and hierarchy of power. I would say, he is kurang ajar.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Vettel did apologised after the race, seems like he regrets for disobeying the team order. And now he made the statement like this. I think Webber has literally won it because he got the 2nd place by obeying team order.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
    • Realist on Apr 14, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      Actually everyone should lay off Vettel’s case. He is a true mark of a champion. If you have followed Formula 1since the 1980’s, you will notice that all the great drivers won because they never followed team orders. They all race to win! In Formula 1, winning is everything. So Webber should take a leaf from that and stop crying like a spoilt child! Go on Vettel, break team orders, that the reason people pay to watch Formula 1 anyway!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
  • gOOsh on Apr 12, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    best man win…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 15
    • Obama on Apr 12, 2013 at 11:56 pm

      Race among team mates and crash, instill rivalry within themselves. In the end, Ferrari or McLaren will be laughing to the finish line. Red Bull’s team boss will come under fire.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Whoever use all their might to win the race regardless what they did will deserved it as long they didn’t break any F1 legal rules. Screw team order and race!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 9
    • BOYRACER on Apr 12, 2013 at 4:53 pm

      Yup..Screw team orders.Racers race to win even if it means battle among their own teammate.Stupid!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 7
    • Nope. If it’s in 1980’s, it probably is. Me myself love F1 action even among teammates, but F1 is a team race, if teammates in 1st and 2nd position race each other, they might be exposed to crash or getting out of track which will risk constructor’s points. The team order is made to make sure that RedBull will score the first two places.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 5
  • antaras on Apr 12, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    I just hope that they take each other out one time. I’ve been waiting a Prost/Senna relationship in F1 for way too long…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • ochee on Apr 12, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    Mark Webber should have taken him out and crash into the german shithead

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 4
  • Kuinosan on Apr 12, 2013 at 4:57 pm

    I hope that all the F1 teams can cut the crap about fabricating the outcome of a race with their so called team orders. F1 is about racing, pure unadulterated racing till the end of the every race. It’s about every driver for himself out there!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
    • But F1 is not individual racing, a team racing instead. Team order is necessary, that’s why they have two drivers per team.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 5
    • kadajawi on Apr 12, 2013 at 8:14 pm

      You only have a limited number of engines per year. So if you know you have 1 and 2 secured you usually cut back a bit to spare the engine so it can be used during the next race. Also the cars are likely to break when driven hard, so if that is not necessary, you don’t.

      Webber was leading all the time, he deserved to win. But I don’t think Webber will follow team order next time. Hopefully that kicks Vettel out of the race next time. What a jerk.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  • Victor on Apr 12, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    I don’t condone Vettel’s action in sucker-punching Webber but I guess it’s better that this happened earlier than later because this gives Webber every reason to NOT obey the team’s orders in the future especially when it comes to giving up a position to the other. The Red Bull management should also be prepared for such a scenario as they are equally at fault for allowing this to happen by not taking any action against Vettel. The best way for Webber to react is to out-drive and out-wit Vettel in the future. It’s open season mate; winner takes all.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • If Vettel didn’t make that move I will be disappointed and never going to watch F1 again. Bravo Vettel. A race is a race. Is all about adrenaline. If they wanna play strategy pl go to play a game called chess

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 13
  • Black Dog on Apr 12, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    If Webber knows that Vettel won’t be following team orders in Sepang, he would have drive differently and won’t let him pass so easily. The outcome would have been different
    It’s the failure of the team boss. What is an order if your boys don’t obey it?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
    • tokmoh on Apr 13, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      This. webber turned down his engine to conserve it as the race is over, he just needs to nurse it back home.

      Then vettel decided to be silly and nearly cost the team’s 1-2.

      Well, this is gonna be vettel’s downfall i guess. if he wins the championship, people are just gonna think he’s cheap. if he loses, yeah well deserved. and Webber will not be having any pity nor favor to defend his title.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • jilbaber on Apr 12, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    That’s what I call a true racer ! It’s all about winning

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 11
  • Syarikat Abuya dan adik iparnya on Apr 12, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    What had Vettel done by disobey team boss order during GP sepang was wrong. That is principles.

    What is Vettel do now by showing no remorse is right. Why? Because if he admit his mistake, he must give his award to Webber. Normal human nature…. Greed…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • racefan on Apr 12, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    Drivers race to WIN. Period. Otherwise best to take up gardening as a career. Team orders is ridiculous so early in the season. Vettel would probably start looking over his shoulders by now at other teams. Remember it is the team that sets the culture and precedence. Time for Vettel to aim his sights on the next team.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 9
  • He’s becoming too arrogant now. He might be good at racing but, team order are there for a reason. It’s done for various technical reasons; the engine, constructor championship points, etc. If not for team orders, Webber would surely be further away from this arrogant young lad. If it’s too difficult for Vettel to race as a team for long term success, be as excellent as he might be, there will be time when he wouldn’t be needed for F1 is not about individual race.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • when webber was asked to back off and let vettel pass he obey team orders, but when vettel was asked to do the same, he ignored?
    “sorry” yeah right lmao.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Who ever is faster & stronger will survive and win….. loser don’t complain so much. Go and fight it for your own. Don’t wait for people to feed you. You are not a pet. Prove it to other if you are really good or otherwise fuck off and give way to other! Team order should be eliminated….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
    • V2 is stupid on Apr 13, 2013 at 2:12 am

      It’s a team sport. So team order will naturally exist. Too early in the season to risk losing out on 1-2 finish which is vital to constructor’s championship. Not about the need to prove that one is capable enough to win. More about a person who can be disciplined/respect the team and another who’s ignorant/arrogant shit head. Like you. If Seb knows he’s genuinely that good, change team. Like Val Rossi. Then he will be (at least) more deserving of anyone’s respect.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
      • You can say I’m stupid, no problem. that’s ur freedom. That also shows ur personality n characteristic.

        well, team order, great. Then everyone wait for team order, I bet you the F1 will boring like hell.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • RBR already planned for whoever was ahead after the final pit stop to win. f1 today is not like f1 in prost/senna time, it is an even bigger business!
          we all know vettel is a bastard! he could have just kept quiet about it.
          he just doesnt care at the end of the day because his protector is helmut marko!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • albag on Apr 12, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    haha great that Vettel puts some drama into Formula One to make it more interesting… think of another angle, he does make the sports more like drama now…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/07c1bd7494be11e2adc122000a1f9ace_7.jpg

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Vital on Apr 13, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Vettel already 3 time world champion and already won so many races. What is just another finish and let Webber win 1 more race instead of risking taking out both of them in the race when they nearly collided or maybe killed if they crashed big time. Another arrogant German in F1. I hope Alonso beat him to the title this year.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • if its spell out clearly thats theres no team order will be fair…webber was just following & avoid any team mates collison…f1 shud enaure team order are deem illegal, let them race fair & square

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • synzz on Apr 13, 2013 at 10:16 am

    is a matter of perception.
    if u think F1 is a team sport = WEBBER is correct
    if u think it’s a driver’s game = VETTEL is correct
    Vettel disobeyed orders.
    Vettel is a racing driver out to win.

    If im not mistaken, only 8 engines for a championship season.

    I personally feel Vettel = Little Schumacher.
    Brilliant on statistics. Cannot say much as a gentleman.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 6
    • zamer on Apr 14, 2013 at 12:39 am

      so the germans has some attitude problem..
      one word for vettel..greedy..

      i hope webber will rub against him and put him to DNF..then he knows what is the meaning of team.

      it is not healthy to fight with team members. dont believe me, try and do shits with your colleague at work, see how you’ll be look

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 9
      • Timun on Apr 14, 2013 at 2:26 pm

        Hello “Zamer”, the Germans are not greedy. They are “true winners”. If you noticed Germans are always world champions in everything they do. That is the mark of true grit and determination, something the English and of course, Australians have lost since they lost the so called, “Empire” centuries ago! Now, they are just what we call, “losers”!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • vee-oh on Apr 13, 2013 at 11:44 am

    attitude wise, Vettel is the new Schumacer

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
  • Mr Sham on Apr 13, 2013 at 11:53 am

    All this year always respects with all his achievement but after Sepang F1 GP think that Vettel be arrogant and selfish driver. Hate that driver this time.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  • Limakedai on Apr 14, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Finally the teams have followed what Vettel has done and abolished team orders. What took them so long to come to a decision? All the world media ( especially the bias English speaking media) should apologise to Vettel and accept that team orders is not good for Formula 1. Go Vettel, continue to race like a true Champion, not a loser Saxon!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Blake on Apr 14, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    After reading all the comments, and seeing there are more “Likes” on team minded people… I now have more faith in my fellow Malaysians.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • v-power on Apr 15, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    Team orders are there for a reason.

    Every driver wants a podium finish…but there are situations in a race where your team KNOWS BEST; save the tire/engine and let your team mate secure the crucial points for the team & move on to fight in the next race…OR do a ‘Seb’ or ‘Vettel’ and throw team orders out the window!

    Lucky Seb did make it to the checkered flag…but what if his recklessness didn’t pay-off? What if he blew the tires and took out Mark in the process! Boy-oh-boy, would that be a major humdinger…!

    And to say your own team mate didn’t deserve to win…why humiliate your own team mate even if you are the reigning champion…? A true champion NEVER put down their own team-mate, no matter how bad they may be!

    F1 is a team sport Seb, like it or not…you can’t become a champion without the team behind you.
    Otherwise…take up boxing, karate or better yet MMA; there are no team orders to worry about, lots of trash talk, and you can beat up your opponent as much as you like…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tiadaid on Apr 16, 2013 at 9:42 am

    F1 is a team sport because if it’s not then each team won’t have two cars to run.

    Vettel has proven to be an arrogant arse – I wonder if he could win if the car is not the sharpest tool in the shed, ala Ayrton Senna (who’s also arrogant but a well deserved one. Vettel is not even half the man Senna was)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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