Fans love it, rivals hate it, media dispute it... please log in to view this image The famous finger and it's origins I believe have finally been found after many hours of me searching through the years of his career on the internet. I believe I have come across the reason for this finger and it's not as obvious as people like to make out that he means it in an arrogant way of saying: "I'm number 1" like many the media and his rivals like to believe. When actually it's something much more deeper than that... For me to explain I have to go back to 2006 when Vettel was involved in Formula Renault 3.5 as well as European Formula 3 who he was fighting Paul Di Resta for the title at the time. During the midpoint of the EF3 season Sebastian crashed at the top of Eau Rouge at 170mph while spinning in the rain. I was able to find the actual video of the crash which is of some luck as this is the only video of it. Sebastian was very lucky that it was only his hand that got injured that day considering when you see how close another car came to hitting him side on which could of cost him his life. RARE footage: [video=youtube;gAf5ap0M_gQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAf5ap0M_gQ[/video] *It's 2006, not 2007 like the video suggest as he didn't race here in 07. After this crash Sebastian was taken to hospital after a chunk of carbon fiber struck his hand at that high speed and nearly lost a part of his hand in the process, but luckily for him they were able to save his finger. The carbon fiber was able to slice through his whole hand and even bone was severely damaged when they operated on him. Picture of Sebastian after the crash: please log in to view this image Now after the operation to save this certain finger the Doctor's believed Sebastian would have to sit out several weeks to allow it to heal enough to move partially, let alone drive a high speed single seater. Yet Sebastian continued to race in European F3 with this injury all through the season and just losing out to Paul. I'm sure I don't have to explain how important the hand is in racing as we all know what situation Kubica is still in after his accident though his being more extreme than Sebastian's but still in this sport, a hand is almost like a second heart. I was lucky enough to find an article by the Guardian here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/aug/25/formulaone.sport that knew which finger Sebastian injured at the time of his accident, you bet.....the (forefinger) as explained here** for those who just call their digits "fingers". ** please log in to view this image Now weirdly Sebastian still doesn't like to reveal why he does this "No1 finger" and people who are close to him say Vettel has a weird sense of humour and that it isn't easy to understand because he doesn't like to involve the public into his personal life. Maybe it was a joke between the Dr or Surgeon that helped saved his finger all those years ago. Maybe at the time they advised him to not use his forefinger while moving the wheel or something so he had to keep it straight all through the race and slowly it became a joke between them. Maybe after every race he had to straighten his finger out so muscle and bone were able to relax? and again carried on as a joke or superstition with him. Maybe it's a family assurance at the time for his Parents when he was injured but has carried on into adulthood to show "the finger is fine" "I'm happy" a sort of coded message to all those close to him. After me finding all this out with a bit of digging, hopefully the majority of f1 fans will look at it differently rather than just consider he is trying to rub it in their faces by saying he is number 1 all the time. At this end it doesn't really look like that to me when you look at the evidence above... The reason why I wrote this up is because you get a lot of reports and videos about Fernando and Lewis with their history, yet not much is looked into Sebastian's and videos of pre-F1 are quite hard to find. That and I'm a massive fan of Vettel and I want the objective view of Sebastian to change slightly to a more factual view on the days of his career and why his finger isn't a sign of arrogance. Maybe his life isn't as glamorous, fantasised or as glitzy like the other 2 in the media, so news on him is quite limited, something I'm sure Sebastian doesn't mind. Also because Sebastian's junior career is mostly attacked by his detractors (no one intended here) as weaker than the likes of other top drivers. So I would put my hat in the ring and dare them to find any other driver in F1 history who benefited a personal injury to their body while driving. And I would also say to them, lets see how well you would be able to perform basic tasks after an operation to save parts of your hand, let alone drive at speeds of 180mph and endure the pain and limitation of your recent injuries that almost cost you your "life" AKA: (Racing). Paul might of won the EF3, but it was Sebastian who went off to F1 and win 3 straight world titles, and I reckon that bugs him still to this day that it was the only possible way to beat him while he was injured that year. It does sound a bit fanboyish of me, but the season hasn't even started yet and it's a better time to say it than 3-4 months down the line.
Interesting read, I always believed it to be for 'arrogant' reasons not that I ever disliked him doing it I found it quite funny, but no you raise a very interesting point. Nice one
Is this article serious? I ask not in an attempt to ridicule but from genuine incredulity that someone would consider going to such trouble to produce such an article in an effort (as admitted within the article itself) to set about altering public opinion about their idol! Bizarre! But I acknowledge that if it is serious, it is also genuinely fanatical. SilverArrow: you have every right to claim to be amongst the most dedicated of all sports 'fans'! As for his erect digit: who knows? (And who else amongst us really gives a finger…
True, very true it is a bold and some what fanatical post though I haven't done it for a while I think? so I should get at least this one hoorah this year Maybe it's unworthy of my time and effort to look into this, maybe somewhat pointless. But if you felt something was being turned in the wrong way, (idol or not) you would say something about it if you can find evidence to support your opinion, wouldn't you? That surely comes with most urges with the human race that they would look for the "truth" and question it, rather than accept what was told to us by the media and their subjective views with far less evidence than what I bring here for example and turn it into "common knowledge". In short, at least I'm trying to put the effort in unlike people who get paid for doing less etc... Well at least you commend me in a way for my efforts, but I understand your stance on the subject like wtf is going on here? The majority believe it to be a sign of arrogance, it might be humorous now with what I believe. But my point of view which has pretty decent substance might turn out to be correct in the end who knows! I just feel Vettel holds it with too much importance than it to just mean "I'm number 1" because even if people take the piss out of him for doing it, he still does it so it's of some importance to him to keep doing it. *But then again I don't and still havent criticised you for your man crush on Hamilton when you have acted no different to me in a sense. I might not believe 100% that I'm in the same ballpark as past Hamelots used to be, you might not believe 100% you are in the same ball park as me as having an "idol" of sorts. I'm not gunning for anybody here but just because I type about Seb a lot, doesn't make me more or less a fanatic than the other fanatics that type less or don't say anything at all.
Hey, if people didn't research things we'd never know anything, or at least have reason to doubt what is already told . Fanatical or no, I thought it was a good read
Me a 'Hamelot'? A "man crush on Hamilton"? Are you serious? Is this your response to anyone who presents a riposte to a contrived argument? You quote "the majority" as having a belief about your man which seems at odds with your own but do so without the slightest substantiation. And "â¦pretty decent substanceâ¦"? Well, at first it makes me wonder what substance you're taking, but, as you suggest, perhaps only time will tell! According to your own words, you appear to have labelled yourself*; but surely it is wrong to project a similar label upon those who may hold a more moderate view, simply on the basis of feeling labelled (especially in this instance, by oneself?).- - -o0o- - - *A 'Vettelot' perhaps? Since one can only guess at such things, one can only wonder⦠Personally, I have no particular passion for any driver; but it seems you prefer to project labels. It might be fun, therefore, to read why you think (for instance) that I might be a 'Hamelot' rather than a 'Buttonalot', an 'Alonsolot' a 'Kobayashialot' or indeed a 'whateveralot'. I very much look forward to reading your explanation. P.S. Thanks (in advance, perhaps?).
Yes, Cristòfol; I must agree with you that it was an entertaining read. Passion speaks loudly and those who do not take notice do so at their peril! Ultimately, for better or worse, fanatics are the voice of movement. This is sometimes a good thing.
Edit: Deleted my previous post because it will serve no purpose but to antagonize. Instead let me try ask you to ease off on your overly fanboy postings, specifically those that cast the rest of us as against Vettel... we're not. Personally I'm getting bored of it.
I think this is an important point for any passionate (but intelligent) person to take notice of. Any extreme 'fanatical' view will eventually provoke a reaction from the more moderate (and previously less radical). Fanatics who want proper, reasoned debate will only achieve it when they learn to back off. In particular, such people should take care not to label others with collective generalisations simply because they perceive some resistance (real or imagined) to their own point of view. To put it another way, wouldn't you, SilverArrow, agree that expressing what may be perceived as an extreme view always runs the danger of polarising moderate opinion? I do not mean to patronise in saying that you, SilverArrow, appear to be intelligent enough to realise that in labelling others who you may perceive as not sharing your view, you are creating your own ground for discontent. This is not too dissimilar to a religious fanatic labelling anyone who does not obviously and immediately fall into line with a particular belief system as heretic or blasphemous, thus setting up an increased resistance to their own point of view – which may ultimately run the risk of all-out extermination of one's perceived (projected) opponent(s). Please accept that others may hold a general interest which may perhaps be less focussed (or, dare I say: more accommodating of other's views?) than your own. Bhaji's response annunciates something which I too have felt. I have also noticed a reduction in the participation of several other previously active, well-informed, 'moderate' members, who previously helped make this forum a fun and interesting place which accommodated a diversity of views. I am sure this will not have escaped your considerable power of perception. Fortunately, a member who serves as one of the best examples of what I'm saying is still with us. He is a highly valued, previously 'fanatical' member who has learned to accommodate the views of others. He still holds his views and beliefs; but he has gained a lot of respect through demonstrating an ability to acknowledge the views of others, even when he fundamentally disagrees. Please accept the views of others, even if you disagree. Most of all, please try to avoid provoking a resistance in others by labelling them (often incorrectly) in the first place. Simply because others do not express themselves in the way that you might does not mean their views are less valid. - - -o0o- - - P.S. I offer my apologies in advance, if this sounds like your father; but I genuinely mean this… You are a valuable member of this forum and you have a lot to say. Back off a bit and people will be more likely to listen. Everyone here knows you have a lot to say, so why not give others the space they might need to listen?
Oh well... My slightly antagonistic post got quoted... suppose I'd better stand by it. I just think you need to step back a bit Silver, honestly. Not everybody is out to get Vettel, there isn't some agenda against him, the BBC isn't rigging Top Gear, the FIA aren't out to get him, the membership of not606 are NOT anti Vettel. You need ease up on this obsession and look at things more objectively. You'll enjoy the sport a lot more. In addition, if you have a problem with Hamilton fans and media outlets spouting on about him, quit doing your bit to perpetuate that here. I'm a Hamilton fan and even I get sick of his name cropping up at every opportunity. There's nothing wrong with being Fanatical but it's getting to the point where Vettel is not only dominating F1, but also here.
I hope Vettel retires soon, Schumacher retiring seems to have done wonders for Manny's mental health.
Well I was going write something really long, but changed my mind. If you think I'm causing problems for this forum, vote on it and tell me what you want done, thank you. I would love to into great debate with you Cosicave about both our pros and cons on the matter of opinion, but this wouldn't be the place to do it as the whole main subject of the matter is about the finger, not who is more fanatical etc... And getting into a heated argument. Sarge I'm sorry if you feel that way and you should of said sooner you felt like that rather than just snipe at a distance (from my point of view) because that kind of reverse psychology bullying technique will not work on me but make it worse and that I'll most likely ignore you. If you think I should stop typing 60% of all my posts about Seb than say so, but you will have to apply that to everybody here or my point will be made that it isn't about fanatics with you, but your dislike with me for some reason how I act. The whole point of forums is for you to tell me what you do and do not want written, if you don't I'm just flying blind here. My whole DNA is to find "truths" and share them, not to force or demand change with anybody here. But just go, "hay you know that thing here? Well it isn't actually the actual truth, its this because because because." So in a way I'm just trying to help improve the knowledge of F1 (however little), I'm not looking for an ego boost or a congratulations Sherlock Holmes mystery solved. I only wanted to share what I discovered because I felt it was important enough to tell people I knew on here because I wanted to help with their knowledge of F1 because they are interested in F1 arn't they? I understand what people are saying, I'm just a bit sad that's what I got back from it that's all. My post was pretty much harmless, I got insulted for it I felt just by the comments themselves.
If you have any personal issues to discuss amongst each other then may I suggest that these be done via PM rather than in the public eye. Thanks,
