sebastian vettel propagandist

It was during 2008 that I really got to know Sebastian, usually by messing around with him at our Thursday catch-ups in the paddock. Before the win at Monza put him on everyone's radar there wasn't that much media interest in him, so often it would just be me and one German-speaking TV crew. Once they'd finished, Seb and I were left to exchange stupid jokes or discuss bits of news going on with other teams. He was still young, so I’d sometimes play tricks on him, such as asking his thoughts on FIA president Max Mosley, at that point very much in the news. Seb looked at me uncertainly, ‘Erm...’ then at the camera, then towards Toro Rosso press officer Fabiana Valenti who wasn't helping him out, then back to me again: ‘You can't ask me that, you bastard!’

~~~~~~

Vettel, 2017: ‘I'm a big believer that things happen for a reason.’

Forgetting for a second that we weren't two friends down the pub, I replied, ‘Sure, Seb, but you know the saying about everything happening for a reason? Sometimes that reason is that you're stupid and make bad decisions.’

Vettel raised an eyebrow, turned and wandered off to his next media engagement.

only to turn a page and be greeted by Chapter 16, simply titled “Sebastian” and entirely dedicated to his career and social justice projects. it is wonderfully sweet