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October 4, 2013

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Vettel points to Ferrari fans, says boos 鈥榥ot so nice鈥

Runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel admitted yesterday that the boos he has recently been subjected to were “not nice for sure,” pointing the finger at disgruntled Ferrari fans.

The Red Bull driver, going after a fourth world title in a row, is on a strong run even by his high standards, winning the last three races on the bounce. But there have been boos for the German on the podium after those races, something that is rare in Formula One.

“I noticed. It’s not nice for sure. But at the end of the day it’s not that everyone was booing, like some people put it after the race (in Singapore two weeks ago),” said the 26-year-old, ahead of the Korean Grand Prix this weekend. “Usually one person starts and then a couple will join him or her. In the end there were a lot of fans also cheering for Red Bull and very happy with the result.”

Some people have blamed Ferrari fans for the opprobrium, others say it is spectators bored with seeing Vettel so dominant. “Probably Ferrari fans were not happy because we are their strongest or biggest opponents. They don’t like it, but we really like it,” he said.

“I’m sure unfortunately there would be some Red Bull fans who in that moment would not appreciate it if Ferrari does a good job. But that’s life.”

Vettel has been victorious in the last two grands prix in Korea, but said the weather could play a major part this time. “There is rain forecast on Sunday at this stage — maybe a bit more than rain, maybe some heavy rain. We do not know what’s coming,” he said. “We have seen this year the (Red Bull) package is strong, no matter where we go, so I think we can be confident.

“But you cannot expect to be at the front or top again just because we were top in the last couple of races.”

Meanwhile, dumped Ferrari driver Felipe Massa insisted that he has “some good opportunities” for next season following his high-profile axing.

“We talk with a few teams and I don’t think it’s the right time to speak about that,” Massa, 32, said.

“I think it’s the right time when you know where you are going. For the moment we are aware of some good opportunities. It’s better to wait and say at the right time.”

 


 

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