Singapore victor Vettel brushes off boo boys
RED Bull’s Sebastian Vettel laughed off the boos that are increasingly accompanying his podium appearances, after the German took another step towards a fourth straight Formula One title at yesterday’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Vettel leads Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso by 60 points after passing the chequered flag in one hour, 59 minutes and 13 seconds, over half a minute clear of the Spaniard.
Kimi Raikkonen overcame a back injury to push his Lotus into third place, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was fifth. Yet with the chasing pack so far behind Vettel, some fans have grown tired of Red Bull’s dominance and are aiming their discontent at the 26-year-old.
“They are on a tour – they go around on a bus,” Vettel joked of his detractors. “I’d like to say to everyone working for team that it’s a privilege for me to be driving the car you have built.”
Vettel, on pole, was overtaken by Nico Rosberg at the start but quickly regained the lead. A safety car later in the race cut his lead, yet he soon extended the gap and easily won.
His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber was hit with a 10-place grid penalty for the next Grand Prix, for taking a lift on Alonso’s Ferrari after breaking down at the end of the race.
It was Webber’s third reprimand of the season, resulting in the penalty. He was classified as ending in 15th.
DRIVERS’ RANKINGS
Formula One title race
1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 247 points
2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 187 pts
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 151 pts
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) 149 pts
5. Mark Webber (Red Bull) 130 pts
6. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 116 pts
7. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 87 pts