“Does it excite you that you finished in eighth, 12th or 13th place? No, it’s not, when you know you’ve been first so many times - and in Luis’ case more than any other guy”; watch the continuation of the F1 season throughout the weekend, live on Ski Sports F1 in Baku; the lights go out on Sunday at 12 o’clock
Last updated: 06.09.22 13:55
Sebastian Vettel is also thinking about whether Louis Hamilton is “on fire” like George Russell?
Sebastian Vettel questioned whether Luis Hamilton is still excited about Formula 1 after the fall of the seven-time world champion.
Vettel from Aston Martin also admitted that he is afraid of the possibility of retiring from the sport and believes that F1 “lacks” the experience of former race director Michael Massi.
Hamilton arrives in Baku with 75 points - the equivalent of three wins in the race - behind world championship leader Max Verstappen after reaching the podium in the first seven rounds and Mercedes failing to keep up with Red Bull and Ferrari.
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On the eve of the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan this weekend, take a look at some of the most impressive moments from the race in Baku
“When you get to know the sport the way Luis and I did, winning and being on top is what you strive for,” said Vettel, who won four consecutive Red Bull titles between 2010 and 2013.
“Does it excite you that you finished in eighth, 12th or 13th place?” No, it’s not, when you know you’ve been first so many times - and in Luis’ case more than any other guy.
“George (Russell) enters. He spent three years at Williams suffering at the back, scoring an odd point, and then suddenly he was eighth or 12th and life for him is amazing.
“Everyone is different, but you have to be fair on the outside and say, you see, will Lewis be naturally as excited about being eighth as George probably is?” No, and I would be surprised if it was. “
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The FIA was recently under scrutiny for supporting the Monaco Grand Prix, which has been postponed to rain.
This season, Eduardo Freitas and Niels Vittich are the only two nominated race directors. They were named as a replacement for Masi after reviewing the controversial final of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.
Vettel, director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, added: “What we are missing now is the experience that Michael had and brought to work because he did it for so long and grew up with it.
“It is not an easy position now because there is more focus and more attention on what is happening in the control of the race.
“But I hope things calm down and we find a way to work together, as is the case with drivers and the FIA. You can’t make everyone happy, but we have to try to make both sides happier.”
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Vettel finished as second-placed Hamilton in 2017 and 2018 before being rejected by Ferrari and then signed for Aston Martin 2020.
The 34-year-old German was 12th on the table last year, and this season he scored only five points.
It has been almost three years since Vettel took the last of his 53 victories - which puts him behind only Hamilton and Michael Schumacher on the F1 winners list. He says his online future depends on whether Aston Martin’s fortune improves and admits the thought of retirement is daunting.
“Yes [it is]”I’ve been racing all my life, and it gives you security, in terms of other people’s schedules.
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Take a look at the highlights of last year’s Grand Prix of Azerbaijan
“I don’t know what life looks like after Formula 1 and I don’t think any athlete knows what the next life will look like. You may have certain things in a row, but you don’t know and that’s true.
“I don’t expect to find something I’m really good at tomorrow, because I’ve found something in my life that I’m really good at and it’s hard to find it again. How many times can you win the lottery?
“I enjoy driving a car, but there are other things I don’t like. After so many years, common things come to mind that you don’t understand at first, like traveling. It takes a lot of time, and I am children at home and family, so it is far from them at the same time.
“The future depends on this year and the race ahead of me. I haven’t decided yet. Summer is the usual time when you start talking and we’ll see. “