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Vettel inspired by Raikkonen comeback
Source: Agencies |
November 16, 2010, Tuesday
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SEBASTIAN Vettel cocooned himself from distraction, took inspiration from Kimi Raikkonen's astonishing 2007 title comeback and then shed tears of joy on becoming Formula One's youngest champion on Sunday.
"This morning I got up and tried not to think about anything, tried to avoid contact with people too much, just try to do my own thing," said the 23-year-old German, soaked in champagne and struggling to contain his emotions.
"We have only led this championship once and when it mattered. I am speechless."
Vettel had started the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi 15 points behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, the favorite to become the youngest triple champion, and eight behind his own Australian teammate Mark Webber.
He knew he had to win and, recalling Raikkonen's incredible comeback for Ferrari from 17 points down with two races remaining, hope for the best.
"I didn't know anything until I crossed the checkered flag," he said as the Red Bull team celebrated a title double after its constructors' championship success in Brazil last weekend.
Vettel, who has set a string of records since he arrived in Formula One as a fresh-faced teenager, cried through his visor. Then, out of the car, he talked and talked.
Appearing on the podium flanked by the previous two champions, Britain's Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, Vettel asked them: "How did it feel, was it also that strange?"
Growing up in the era of Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion who ended his comeback season with a first lap crash on Sunday, Vettel is steeped in Formula One.
He watched as a kid and has a strong sense of its history.
"To be on that list now with drivers like (Ayrton) Senna, Michael (Schumacher), those two guys, I mean I don't know," he said before faltering, his lips quivering with emotion.
"I was actually thinking about Kimi's situation today," he added. "Like Kimi or not - some people do, some people don't - I think it was a little bit of a similar situation.
"Obviously what he achieved three years ago was very special. I think most of us have been there and no-one thought it was possible. He proved us wrong but circumstances were special, same as today."
"This morning I got up and tried not to think about anything, tried to avoid contact with people too much, just try to do my own thing," said the 23-year-old German, soaked in champagne and struggling to contain his emotions.
"We have only led this championship once and when it mattered. I am speechless."
Vettel had started the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi 15 points behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, the favorite to become the youngest triple champion, and eight behind his own Australian teammate Mark Webber.
He knew he had to win and, recalling Raikkonen's incredible comeback for Ferrari from 17 points down with two races remaining, hope for the best.
"I didn't know anything until I crossed the checkered flag," he said as the Red Bull team celebrated a title double after its constructors' championship success in Brazil last weekend.
Vettel, who has set a string of records since he arrived in Formula One as a fresh-faced teenager, cried through his visor. Then, out of the car, he talked and talked.
Appearing on the podium flanked by the previous two champions, Britain's Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, Vettel asked them: "How did it feel, was it also that strange?"
Growing up in the era of Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion who ended his comeback season with a first lap crash on Sunday, Vettel is steeped in Formula One.
He watched as a kid and has a strong sense of its history.
"To be on that list now with drivers like (Ayrton) Senna, Michael (Schumacher), those two guys, I mean I don't know," he said before faltering, his lips quivering with emotion.
"I was actually thinking about Kimi's situation today," he added. "Like Kimi or not - some people do, some people don't - I think it was a little bit of a similar situation.
"Obviously what he achieved three years ago was very special. I think most of us have been there and no-one thought it was possible. He proved us wrong but circumstances were special, same as today."
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