Sebastian Vettel is preparing for the British Grand Prix on Sunday but he is still waiting for something tangible to remind him of his victory at Silverstone in 2009, when – as is traditional – he was not allowed to walk away with the trophy, a golden prize not unlike the one held aloft by Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon three days ago."Yes, the golden one. I was very surprised because I thought I would be able to take it home with me," Vettel said on Wednesday. "But I had to give it back straight away. I couldn't even take it off the podium.
"So I asked if I could have a replica and they were like: 'What do you mean?' It turns out I was the first ever to ask for a replica. So it was quite a struggle. And I still haven't got it."
Vettel, even when he is surrounded by the uniquely egocentric world of Top Gear, exudes a quiet modesty. The Formula One world champion – and this year's champion-elect – had just completed filming with the BBC at Dunsfold aerodrome for this weekend's show when he was asked whether he attempted to model himself on his idol, Michael Schumacher, or whether he tried to distance himself from the sport's pantomime villain. The man who has made the best start ever to a Formula One season, by winning six of the first eight races and coming second in the other two, smiled with a quiet assurance. "Generally, I'm not trying to do anything consciously. I am who I am," he said. And smiled again. "I am not trying just to look good or avoid something happening. I feel very fortunate to be in the position I am."
Asked if it is possible to dominate, as he has with nine wins in 12 races, and still be nice, he said: "There are two sides. There is no reason why outside the car you have to be a bastard. If you always have been, then that is you. If people don't like it, that is how it is. It is not right to fake being a nice guy. I am who I am and I am not trying to be someone who I am not. If I could do that I would be an actor.
"I'm trying to achieve something. I have my target. I know what it takes. Next to that there are things which other people would like you to do or achieve. But you cannot please everyone. Unfortunately there will always be some people offended by what you do – for instance, with the finger – but that's how it is." He was referring to the raised forefinger – like an umpire giving a batsman out – which he uses to salute yet another pole or race victory.
So is this a different Vettel from the one who became Formula One's youngest champion last year? Last year he won the prize at the last gasp but this year pole position and the chequered flag appear to come easily. "I don't arrive like that. Obviously, when we arrive we are confident and we believe in ourselves. And we believe that we can have a good weekend. But I can't take it for granted to arrive and say pole, race. It never comes easy.
"My biggest dream was to become Formula One world champion. No one can take this away from me, from us, any more. Whatever happens in the future this will always be there."
According to the Red Bull designer Adrian Newey it is Vettel's intelligence that sets him apart from other drivers. "We've got cars covered in sensors and data recorders and so forth. And that tells you what the car's doing. But it doesn't tell you why it's doing it. Seb's got a very good feel for the tyres, for the dynamics, for the car. He also has this intelligence.
"When you start off, in karting and the junior formulas, you don't need a lot of technical understanding. You just drive by the seat of your pants. As you start to move up the formulas, and ultimately reach the top, to be one of the all-time greats you need to be pretty bright. If you look at Ayrton, Schumacher, Prost – that's my era – they've all been very bright, very determined and hard-working. And Seb's the same.
"You need that combo, of being hugely gifted, genetically if you like, but also hard-working and bright and able to verbalise what the car's doing. And that's Seb. He's very analytical."
Source: Guardian
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