Niki Lauda has backed Sebastian Vettel, after the reigning world champion laid bare his ruthlessness in the wake of the 'Multi-21' team orders affair.
Initially apologetic and sheepish, the Red Bull driver had almost three weeks to consider the matter and let rip in the days before the Chinese grand prix.
Vettel said he didn't obey the team order because teammate Mark Webber didn't deserve to win, also insisting that if he could live the fateful moment again, he would probably do just the same.
He even hinted the move was indirect payback for Webber's past indiscretions.
Mercedes team official Lauda, the plain speaking F1 legend and like Vettel a triple world champion, backed the 25-year-old's stance.
Asked about Vettel's verbal attack in Shanghai, Lauda told RTL: "There is not much to say.
"He would also have done it in Kuala Lumpur, but he was still confused about the situation.
"Sebastian just said the thing he needs to do to be a world champion, and well. Now everyone knows exactly what it is."
Lauda insisted Vettel's tattered relationship with Webber is not even a side-issue.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "Sebastian made a clear statement, and I would do the same. And he has been supported by the fact that Red Bull has now said there will be no team orders (anymore)."
Told, however, that harmony within a F1 team must be a crucial issue, Lauda persisted: "Who cares about peace? You have to win.
"Now at least everything is out and clear, which is better than the fog.
"The racing is now about the performance of Webber and Vettel, clean and simple, everyone knows what it is, and I think that's absolutely fine and correct," added Lauda.
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3 Most Recent F1 Fan Comments
Jax commented August 17, 2022 at 18:55 on Female champ thinks F1 may be too physical for women: ""As we crossed into the new millennium, the average American male (controlled for age and other relevant factors) had a total testosterone reading of 605 nanograms per deciliter. A scant 20 years later, and the average level has plummeted by 27 percent to just 450 nanograms per deciliter. That means the average 22-year-old man today has an average testosterone level roughly equal to that of a 67-year-old man in 2000.
The article refers to data from studies in 2007 and 2021, both of which looked at the testosterone levels of men in the United States.
In the 2007 study, testosterone decreased by about 22% when comparing 1985-1987 levels to those from 2002-2004. In the 2021 study, researchers found a roughly 25% decrease between 1999 and 2016."
Given the comments by some 'males' on this topic, I think we have anecdotal evidence to match the science here folks. Lol smh.
Canadian Lumberjack is probably closer to zero! 😂"
Theodore Ranking Formula W fan commented August 17, 2022 at 14:56 on Female champ thinks F1 may be too physical for women: "Why does your basis and standard have to be men?
Why is adopting a more inclusive standard not relevant?
Is your way the only way and everyone has to be comfortable with it?
Is no one else entitled to opportunities or the freedom to chase their goals?"
CanadianEh commented August 17, 2022 at 14:23 on Female champ thinks F1 may be too physical for women: "Actually, Jax, I am drawing from a life-time of experience, and not some shallow, vapid need to virtue signal. I have witnessed women do work of equal or better value than their male counterparts in a number of demanding professions: geology, soldier, helicopter pilot."
Niki Lauda & Helmut Marko
Niki Lauda has backed Sebastian Vettel, after the reigning world champion laid bare his ruthlessness in the wake of the 'Multi-21' team orders affair.
Initially apologetic and sheepish, the Red Bull driver had almost three weeks to consider the matter and let rip in the days before the Chinese grand prix.
Vettel said he didn't obey the team order because teammate Mark Webber didn't deserve to win, also insisting that if he could live the fateful moment again, he would probably do just the same.
He even hinted the move was indirect payback for Webber's past indiscretions.
Mercedes team official Lauda, the plain speaking F1 legend and like Vettel a triple world champion, backed the 25-year-old's stance.
Asked about Vettel's verbal attack in Shanghai, Lauda told RTL: "There is not much to say.
"He would also have done it in Kuala Lumpur, but he was still confused about the situation.
"Sebastian just said the thing he needs to do to be a world champion, and well. Now everyone knows exactly what it is."
Lauda insisted Vettel's tattered relationship with Webber is not even a side-issue.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "Sebastian made a clear statement, and I would do the same. And he has been supported by the fact that Red Bull has now said there will be no team orders (anymore)."
Told, however, that harmony within a F1 team must be a crucial issue, Lauda persisted: "Who cares about peace? You have to win.
"Now at least everything is out and clear, which is better than the fog.
"The racing is now about the performance of Webber and Vettel, clean and simple, everyone knows what it is, and I think that's absolutely fine and correct," added Lauda.
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