Formula One: Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button delight crowds in Moscow and Germany
It was time for Formula One fans to see their stars up close and personal. Two of the leading drivers in the circuit, drove around in their cars on the streets of Moscow and Heppenheim.
The reigning World Champion Jenson Button took a liking for Moscow as he drove a McLaren around the streets of the Russian capital. The Brit received cheers from thousands of fans who had come to catch a glimpse of the rising star of the sport and his vehicle.
The fans in Moscow also hoped that the man at the helm of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone, would help the Russians get an event in the busy F1 calendar. Interestingly for them the tycoon has already shown key interest in the possibilities of staging a race there.
Russia is already set to have its share of some of the biggest sporting events in the coming few years. With Sochi set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, while there is already a bid placed for the 2018 soccer World Cup.
Ecclestone, on the other hand has had discussions about F1 races in Moscow and St Petersburg but to no avail.
At the promotional event in Moscow, there was a great deal of local interest that was further heightened by the presence of Formula One rookie Vitaly Petrov.
Petrov, also demonstrated his skills at the event by driving a modified three-seater F1 manufactured by Renault, the team Petrov is driving for.
The youngster, hailed as a possible future champion, is yet to hit his straps at the big occasion scoring in only one of his 10 races so far, when he finished seventh in China in April for six points.
His teammate from Poland, Robert Kubica has been in sterling form this season with a tally that stands at 83.
"His future is actually in his hands," Principal Eric Boullier declared last week, and he had some words of encouragement for the rookie, stating that his team did not think that he needs to be under any pressure as he is highly talented.
"We have not been disappointed by him, he clearly is the best rookie in the paddock", added the Frenchman.
"He's clearly today lacking some consistency to get the points he deserves and we definitely need to have both cars scoring points, so that's obviously creating some rumours about him and his race seat", clarified Boullier, adding that his team remained committed to the youngster.
"But we are totally committed to him. We are happy to have him on board and we will do everything we can to help him to get the final step to where we want him to be".
On the other hand Sebastian Vettel drove his Formula One car for a demonstration in his home town as his adoring home fans cheered every move that he made. Besides chanting slogans in his favour and waving at him every time he came closer.
The event was arranged in Heppenheim on closed-off roads, and it clearly meant a great deal to the enthusiastic fans of the German star.
The 23-year-old, who drives for team Red Bull, was elated with a run in front of his home fans and labeled it a great success "a great success and makes for a lot of support".
"It's nice that so many people back us, back me and back the team. And for Hockenheim too it couldn't look better”, he added, "I think it was a great day today and the entire city was happy. Thank you again. A lot of people helped, who might not have been that visible, but every one of them contributed to this beautiful day today", Vettel said.
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