Formula One - Horner defends Vettel from the flooding criticism
What could one expect from Red Bull team boss Christian Horner after the disappointing move made by his team driver SebastianVettel at Spa?
Yes! Of course he steps forward for his defence, as the driver faces severe criticism storming from all directions after the young star's latest shunt.
The team boss of McLaren, Martin Whitmarsh called Vettel to be a "crash kid" whose poor driving at the Belgian Grand Prix sent the McLaren driver, Jenson Button into retirement at a time when he was at second place behind his teammate, Lewis Hamilton and could have provided a neat one two finish of the team. Whitmarsh described Vettel’s mistake as something that would be commonly seen at the "junior formulae."
This had been the second time for the 23-year-old that other drivers had suffered and have lost points owing to his immature driving. Earlier this year the driver ran into his team-mate Mark Webber at Istanbul, Turkey at a moment when the twosome was heading for a one-two finish for the team. After his poor move, not only he retired from the race but also Webber lost his first position. The caused severe team fighting accusing the team managements for team orders.
At Spa, though he was able to continue the race, unlike Istanbul, yet the stewards handed Vettel a drive-through penalty which marked his second successive in the season.
Well, the worst was yet to come as Vettel later ran over the front wing of Vitantonio Liuzzi’s Force India, this time facing a puncture and finally finished his race at 15th place.
Button, who had been left thirty five points adrift his teammate and charts topper, Lewis Hamilton, was naturally far from impressed by Vettel's skills, declaring that it was "a strange mistake." He furthermore added that with so many mistakes in a single year Vettel stands far from being a title contender of the season.
The ever-flooding criticism and negative comments aimed towards Vettel forced the Red Bull team Principal to come forth for the defence of his team driver. He talked to the media telling, "I think Sebastian, without a shadow of a doubt, is a very talented driver. This was one of those races, where it just did not go his way. It just didn't work out for him so he needs to stay calm and focused, and eventually it will go his way."
Horner, furthermore suggested that Vettel is now trying really hard to overcome the odd things that he does on the track. He added quite frankly, "It is difficult for him.”
The 36-year-old explained his statement saying that decisions are to be made in split-second on the track and anyone can make a mistake one day or the other and he made it on that particular day.
Vettel when touched Button he was actually trying to prevent himself from getting a spin but ultimately collected Jenson into a tough condition.
Yet the team boss told that this does not deny the fact that he is actually a great racing driver and one must remember that he is still very young and new to Formula One.
He concluded saying he is much inexperienced in comparison to the drivers, he is racing head to head with, and hence he is still undergoing the learning process which might continue for some period of time.
"He analyses his own performance very, very carefully and I am sure he will bounce back from this. It would be foolish to write him off at the moment."
Vettel, now stands at third place in the Drivers’ Championship a place ahead of Jenson Button while 31 points behind Lewis Hamilton, Championship leader.
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