Vettel: I’m not afraid to go against Fernando in the same team
19 September, 2012
Sebastian Vettel with Fernando Alonso
Sep.19 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel on Wednesday insisted that he would not be afraid to race against Fernando Alonso in the same team, amid continued speculation that Felipe Massa’s tenure with the team is coming to an end.
Even before Luca di Montezemolo named the German as an ideal Ferrari driver of the future, Vettel was strongly linked with a 2014 switch to the famous Italian squad.
He would not comment on the reports when asked by Auto Bild.
But Vettel did say: “I’m not afraid to go against Fernando in the same team, as in the end it’s good for the team if it has two good drivers, which means it’s also good for me because the challenge is all the greater.
“But the most important thing is that I’m very happy with Red Bull, and not at all thinking about leaving,” he insisted.
Vettel, currently 39 points behing the Spaniard with seven races to go, named Ferrari’s Alonso as the favourite for 2012 glory.
“His car is not as bad as everyone always says – only at the start of the season was he not really able to compete.
“In the end he has always been there in all conditions, and very reliable, which for me is why the Alonso-Ferrari package has been so far the strongest,” said the defending champion.
Vettel insisted that he is also still in the running.
“Of course it’s always better if you have a points lead,” he said, “but the approach doesn’t change. You always want to get the best out of yourself and the team.
“If you were making more of an effort as the hunter, that’s not a good sign because it means that you were not working hard enough beforehand.
“The goal is to win all the races and see what happens,” added Vettel.
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Domenicali: I’m sure Sebastian didn’t intend to jeopardise Fernando’s race
- Vettel: Fernando was fastest because he had the best equipment
- Domenicali does not deny interest in Vettel
- Domenicali: Fernando best, Vettel very close
- Alonso: Not afraid of Vettel joining Ferrari
ADF:
Yes, Webber too. He’s fit, he’s hungry for success, he might stay for many years.
@Butterfly
I agree. But does that mean Webber might be able to stay on a few years, on the proviso he can still win races?
By the way, Alonso looks like a big red teddy bear hugging Vettel:
“Awww Seb, you poor baby. Have a hug!”
hillside:
With the current restriction on testing, experience is more valuable than ever, especially if you’re as good as Alonso is. Therefore, I expect him to be racing in his 40s – Schumacher showed it’s doable provided you’re motivated and fit.
So expect Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel, Raikkonen (maybe) to still be in F1 ten years from now.
So many haters on this forum, so irritating.. Sorry to say, but mostly idiots.
@disgusted, you are one of the few logical cats here. Note, wish you had a touch more respect for Nando, but either way, you know your game.. Vettel is a premier pilot, and would be a tough opponent to anyone in the same car, Newey designed or not, and even in an inferior car, in a similar way Alonso could.. Would the pairing be ideal, don’t think so. I have the highest respect for Seb and Nan.. But on the same team, trouble brews.
I think it is unfortunate the grudge against RBR from the powers that be. But the established ranks rule, that is not earth shattering news.. in some circumstances, even money cannot buy status.
As an old school Tifosi, I always wish the Scarlett to do well, be it with the best pilot available.. At this stage that would clearly be Vettel or Alonso.. But 2 chefs in the same kitchen never works out.
Any lovers of Hamilton, no offense, but his head is not strong enough to be a top sportsman on the grand stage for long term..
I do feel the Schumi years of domination at Ferrari were not completely due to his circuit skills. Won’t go into detail, but testing, budget, tires, regulations, among others, brought him his multiple titles during that era…
Enough ranting.. Hope that the powers are not silly enough to bring the two best pilots on the grid together…
Seb will destroy aging Alonso just like how Lewis ousted him at mclaren!
All they talk about him joining Ferrari in 2014 is just a smokescreen. He will stay at Red Bull and Alonso at Ferrari – assuming they both keep performing as they do now.
Seb is fine where he is with newey…and perhaps he will most probably win another title again with another unbeatable car…Ferrari is mostly a patched up car imitating innovations from other teams…but Alonso has been as always squeezing any tiny force the car might have on every fluctuating occasion….he is a complete driver
Ferrari will simply make another Massa out of Seb
I feel if Alonso and Vettel did ever become teammates..It would end up like a Senna vs Prost type of melt down…hopefully not. However I rather see Alonso scoop his 3rd championship against 6 other champions especially Vettel ugly finger. That would mean he would be the youngest 3WDC in the world. Should of been already 4 WDC to be honest. 07′ and 10′
kind words from Vettel, then a slap to the face:
“If you were making more of an effort as the hunter, that’s not a good sign because it means that you were not working hard enough beforehand.”
Alonso posted on his website that he will not be hunted by the drivers trying to catch him for the WDC, Alonso is quoted to be the hunter as he says on his website….then Vettel says this:
If you were making more of an effort as the hunter, that’s not a good sign because it means that you were not working hard enough beforehand.
If that isn’t an indirect slap I dont know what is.
@fsdsdgsdg of course Alonso should of 2010 WDC in his first year. We all know Petrov blocked him out…but thats okay…it was also a bad strategy on Ferrari’s end as well.
And the only one I see able to close the gap is Vettel, Hamilton will be impeded by his team (look at the many decissions in Jenson’s favour, even from the first races of the year, like pitstopstrats in favour of Jense while Lewis was leading). Or if Kimi was in the Mclaren (or if Lotus have a miracle). The only one as consistent this year as Alonso is Kimi. Monty should never have axed him the doosh! We, Tifosi, lost him forever I’m afraid!
Hah all those doubting Vettel, watch Abu Dhabi 2010 again (from how many points did he come back? his mental strenght is as good as his pure speed), his dominance in 2011 was not only due to the car. I’m a Ferrari fan for over 25 years and all I can say is. Alonso if you want prove you’re the best accept Schumi, Hamilton, Vettel, Kubica or Kimi in the 2nd seat and prove your worth it! You should have taken the 2010 WDC! And this years car isn’t as bad as everybody thinks, it’s the most polyvalent car on track after the Sauber.
The reason Vettel might fear Alonso is that Alonso would win on every occasion and leave the young German on the side. It’s not as though Vettel doesn’t know how to drive properly, it’s just that Alonso would have him covered 24/7.
For GP drivers, it’s all about confidence, how much of it you can generate all the time – and nobody on the grid is more confident than Alonso. Heck, the F2012 from winter testing would have demoralized anybody except Alonso and Hamilton.
Vettel doesn’t need the Alonso blockade at Ferrari. He just couldn’t be able to win anymore, Alonso would take everything available.
Sorry to disagree, but their is no reason for Vettel to fear Alonso on any level. Beyond the smoke-screen put up by haters, Vettel has a solid career with excellent results, and promise of more to come. It would be great to see the theories of Vettel being dependent on Newey for success crumble by putting him in the same car as Fernando – who won his two championships also in a superior car with tricks similar to those of RBR in pushing the innovation envelope. This of course assumes Ferrari were even capable of producing two cars of equal capacity, or supporting two drivers equally – as this seems counter cultural for them. Just my opinion.
Yes you are or you wouldn’t mention it.
That’s like saying he doesn’t mind taking a sledgehammer to the face.