10 years ago: the fourth title of Sebastian Vettel, a driver then unloved

The latest season of naturally aspirated V8 engines holds a special place in the hearts of music lovers. Formula 1, But also Sebastian Vettel. The German pilot, who will retire after the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, had gleaned his fourth and final coronation in the discipline.

For the one who was nicknamed “Baby Schumi” when he started with Toro Rosso in 2007, his 2013 campaign is undoubtedly the most successful. We will particularly remember his series of nine consecutive victories between the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August and the final in Brazil at the end of November. A feat which equals the feat accomplished in his time by Alberto Ascari between 1952 and 1953, and which could well be matched, or even surpassed, by another champion at Red Bull, Max Verstappen in the fall of 2022.

Furthermore, Sebastian Vettel was keen to change the public's perception of him by offering spectators a series of donuts at the end of each deceleration lap. His celebration once the checkered flag was crossed at the Indian Grand Prix on the circuit of Buddha remained in memories. He had bowed down in front of his machine, the RB9, one of the most accomplished creations of Milton Keynes and the genius engineer Adrian Newey.

However, these controlled skids were not at all to the liking of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). This imposed a hefty fine of 25 euros on Red Bull Racing for not having ordered its quadruple champion driver not to have stopped his car in the closed park in the pit lane.

Like Lewis Hamilton many years later, Sebastian Vettel suffered rejection from some spectators during his reign between 2010 and 2013. “To be honest, I don't blame the people who booed, he explained in a post-title press conference. If I go to the football stadium, I cheer for the local team. As soon as the away team scores a goal, the guy who scored a goal… well you don't like him, because he's an amazing player!

After Singapore, a guy apologized because he was in the crowd and booed. But we are all fans of this sport and while some people have a passion for Ferrari, they don't like it when someone else wins. But I don't hold grudges. »

Sebastian Vettel, as an enlightened F1 amateur, was immediately aware of the major achievement of a fourth world title. “Juan Manuel Fangio won five titles, everyone judged him to be the best driver in the world. Then Michael (Schumacher) tost arrived. Yes, he had a car that dominated (the others), but he created that at Ferrari. It's amazing that one guy has managed to win more championships than Juan Manuel Fangio.

Joining people like Michael, Fangio, (Alain) Cheers is very difficult to put into perspective. I'm way too young to understand what that means. I might be 60 one day, maybe I'll understand then, but no one will care anymore. But I will think about it again. »

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