Sebastian Vettel: Hostile Questions; Acting Like A World Champion

There is an interesting article that looks at the sort of sensational question that some drivers face in post race conference and Vettel's response to it.

http://www.theracedriver.com/2011/0...stile-questions-acting-like-a-world-champion/

 

Hi and welcome to the forum Foaad!

Unfortunately there appears to be some problem with the link you've pasted, so I've not read anything yet.
Any chance of another attempt? - Failing that, please get back to me to tell me I need a new computer…

 

try again

 

Well, he can afford to be magnanimous, can't he?

But well done for not rising to Byron's provocation.

 

Vettel's followed team orders to his own detriment on numerous occasions for Webber, Webber never has returned the favour, in fact he tries even harder against Vettel than anyone else, even though he's obviously slower, and that's probably why Redbull favour Vettel, if they do at all, because Webber is a selfish whiney egotist to wrapped up in himself to give a **** about his team.

 

The more I see Byron Young's name printed the more I wish him a slow and painful death, and I really mean that. The man epitomises everything that's wrong with British journalism, and in turn it's the words of scumbags like him that fuel everything that's wrong with British society. You can easily see how he managed to weedle those misleading soundbites out of Hamilton. Credit to Seb for not rising, I'd have punched the bastard.

 

Name one time Vettel has been given or followed team orders. I for one applaud Webber for not been a meek lap dog like Massa, although I agree with Coulthard that Webber backed off and was just making a point that he is not fine with it. I would also argue that Webber is not obviously slower than Vettel because last year showed that he can beat Vettel fair and square at times. Also your criticism of Webber for trying hard to beat Vettel makes no sense at all.

 

Turkey 09, was told to tone down the engine like Webber.

 

Thanks Foaad: I've now read it.

There can be little doubt that Vettel is indeed a master of diplomacy. And of course this is a vital ingredient.

As with any world champion from any sport, one becomes an automatic ambassador for it, representing the interests of a multi-billion pound empire: that which we call "F1". Looked at in the big scheme of things, regardless of one's feelings about the situation at Red Bull, few people can be genuine if they do not feel well-represented by this very young, yet very wise champion (in the truest, archaic sense of the word) of our sport.

Since Senna's death, there have only been two champions of similar diplomatic stature: Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen. - Vettel's in good company…

 

I do not remember that, wasn't Vettel closing Webber down?

 

Yes, was within 0.7 on the final lap.

 

These reporters will do whatever they can to get a reaction - you could call them WUMS.

 

The journalist has probably spent a lot of time working on this question before the press conference, which is evident in that the response question from the journalist which he had to improvise because of Vettel good response, is no where near as well constructed. I have to deal with this almost everyday, and as much as it is a part of my profession I absolutely loath it.

In this case the journalist has used a series of questions with illegitimate assumptions with the intention of drawing Vettel into an uneasy or embarrasing response, the question is therefore an illegitimate leading complex question, it is also double barreled as it really only requires one response.

While what the journalist has done is quite clever he has used it against the wrong person. Vettel has no pressure on him in either of the title races, or within his team to re-sign. The question would have been better aimed at Webber or modified slighlty and asked of Button or Hamilton who have all yet to sign new contracts and are a considerable number of points off the WDC. All 3 of them would likely have given the journalist the kind of sound byte they wanted.

However, Vettel did very well to turn the question around into his favour and provide a very diplomatic answer, which I'm not surprised at as although I'm not really a fan of him or his driving I do rate him as a person like I do most F1 drivers, and it's always nice to see a journalist put in their place. Shame we don't get to see the face of the reporter as Vettel replies!

 

I've got even more respect for Vettel now.