F1 technical expert reveals difference in debrief sessions between Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Difference in debrief sessions between Sebastian and Kimi .

During a recent interview for ‘The Race’ microphones, British Formula One engineer Adrian Newey, who currently is the chief technical officer of Red Bull, revealed some interesting facts regarding the post-session debriefing in which he took part together with some of the Formula 1 drivers he has collaborated with in the past. The British engineer focused in particular on Sebastian Vettel, Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Below is an excerpt from his analysis.
“Sebastian [Vettel] was very, very detailed in his post-session analysis. The debriefs would go on for quite some time. Seb would stay long into the evening, going through on-board videos, going through the data, talking to his engineer. That’s what worked for him, it’s not a criticism. Max is not as extreme, is more in the middle.

“Sebastian (Vettel, ed) has always been very, very detailed in his post-session analysis. If it had been up to him, the debriefings would have gone on for quite a while. Seb would have stayed long into the evening, he would have continued to watching the onboard videos, examining the data, talking to his engineer. That’s what made him what he is, it’s not a criticism. Max isn’t that extreme, he’s more in the middle. “

About Finnish drivers and others
“The Finns like Mika [Hakkinen] and Kimi [Raikkonen], the debrief was about five words and that’s the last you’d see of them! Mika in particular I worked quite closely with him, less so with Kimi. Once you took the time to understand his language – because he did describe things differently to a typical English driver, let’s say – while he was short and succinct he was very good at pointing out what he needed to go faster. At the opposite extreme some other drivers will talk you endlessly around the whole lap and by the time you get to Turn 17 you’ve completely forgotten about Turn 2 or you’ve fallen asleep. Daniel [Ricciardo] and Max are quite similar in terms of feedback and approach to debriefs. They’re good because they concentrate on the things you need to know. They’re happy if you have any questions to sit and elaborate. Very easy to work with.”