Sebastian Vettel Q&A: It'll take a while to sink in! 14 Nov 2010
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel started the 2010 season with five victories to his name, and ends it with another five victories - and the drivers’ title - under his belt. At just 23 years and four months-old, Vettel is Formula One racing’s youngest-ever champion, and he can’t quite believe his achievement...
Q: Sebastian, how do you feel?
Sebastian Vettel: It is still hard to believe. It has not sunk in yet and so many thoughts are going through my mind. When I was on my in-lap - I have never been so slow before on my in-lap - I had so many pictures in my head. From the early days with my dad in karting and finally into Formula One. What an adventure! I am so proud just being here - and to then cap it with the title!
Q: You are the youngest-ever Formula One champion. Were you aware of that?
SV: Not really. At the moment I am still happy to be here. To be in a sport that is watched all over the world - and I am sure today more people than ever sat in front of the television - it feels still so exciting and I have not really got used to it.
Q: How did you stay so cool?
SV: There was no special recipe. I try to focus on myself and don’t let others distract me. When it works I am happy and if it doesn’t work I only have to argue with myself. But don’t get me wrong, it was not an easy situation. There is a certain level of stress there. You are nervous and you go through certain situations, but in the end you try to keep your head focused and only concentrate on the immediate conditions. That’s what I did the whole race. Sure I was in the lead and I strongly believed that I would win the race, but what I didn’t know was if this win would be the ticket to the championship.
Q: Will Renault’s Vitaly Petrov and Robert Kubica and Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg receive an extra ration of Red Bull this evening?
SV: Oh, I am sure that we are able to shout some drinks for them! It is funny because on my way to Abu Dhabi I was on a plane with some guys from Mercedes GP and we joked that they should occupy fourth and fifth position. Nico came in fourth so obviously it worked!
Q: Next season your car will feature the number one sticker. How does that feel?
SV: I have not even thought about that. There are so many impressions and thoughts storming through my head, and believe me, the number of my car next year is not among them. I am so proud to be with this team - a team with a fantastic spirit and fantastic people. To be part of that and together conquer such a great victory - in fact two great victories with the constructors’ championship that we sealed in Brazil - is so special, and makes me very thankful.
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