How do you drive a race which you know that you can’t win?
Sebastian Vettel: “I still have the ambition to make the best out of it, also out of respect for the team. But I admit: If what you fought for in the past is no longer within reach, it is a different situation. Since it has been known that our paths (with Ferrari) are going separate ways, the situation has changed. I’m not as involved as I used to be. What really matters now is what affects me now; anything that goes beyond that should no longer interest me. Since it has been known that our paths (with Ferrari) are going separate ways, the situation has changed. I’m not as involved as I used to be. What really matters now is what affects me now; anything that goes beyond that should no longer interest me. We as a team have tried a lot in the past few years, but the bottom line is that, we failed – because we didn’t win. I believe that I have had and have my part in it. That’s why I’m also looking forward to something new starting next year”.
Charles Leclerc was faster than you recently and is staying with Ferrari. Has your relationship with him got more complicated?
Sebastian Vettel: “The relationship between Charles and me did not suffer because of my departure from Ferrari and therefore did not improve”.
Do you have to play “games” in F1?
Sebastian Vettel: “No, it is a free decision, this kind of behavior is very individual. Some people choose to do things that are not always right or fair. But I don’t care because: I’m not like that”.
Do you still find your sport just as fascinating today as it was at the beginning of your career?
Sebastian Vettel: “I am still fascinated by the speed, that special feeling when I’m behind the wheel – where I don’t think about anything else, I enjoy this freedom. My motivation was different 15 years ago, at that time I wanted to win a race, become world champion. Although I was lucky enough to have my dreams come true, this ambition has remained the driving force”.
Do you believe in Guardian Angels?
Vettel: “Yes and no, I have a few quirks. For example, on race day I put two coins in my shoe. I’m not overly superstitious, but still somewhere I think they could help me”.
Are you immune to self doubt?
Sebastian Vettel: “No. I’m very critical of myself. When things don’t go well, I first look at what I could have done better before pointing my finger at others. My expectations of me are usually higher than the expectations from outside”.
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