Does anyone actually like Vettel?

[Durzel]

I do.

I don't get the hate for him really. I'm aware of past history with Webber, and petulantly bumping Hamilton but beyond that I don't really see anything that can't be explained by being in bleeding edge competitive environment. I note also that Hamilton's behaviour (and others) is hardly beyond reproach when they're losing.

He's likeable, he seems to accept losing fair and square, he goes out of his way not to blame his team when clearly there have been serious mistakes and failures of development, etc.

What I end up left with is thinking that people just flat out hate him because of his dominance at RBR (a complaint that could equally be levelled at Hamilton nowadays), the Finger(tm), and... because he's not Hamilton I guess?

Happy to be educated, but what is so wrong with the guy that (some) people on here seem to be genuinely pleased as punch when he loses out?

[Durzel]

You make a good point about the calling out the press in defence of Hamilton.

I must admit also that I am also rather fond of the fact that he eshews social media, keeps his private life private and doesn't use the media as part of his whole strategy. I will concede though that Hamilton is cut from a different cloth and is heavily into his profile on social media etc so that's just the way they both are.

He strikes me as a really genuine, likeable character.. and the things that he seems to be criticised the most for you could level the exact same charge at Hamilton, or indeed any driver at that level of competition.

[Durzel]

Graveworm said:

Vaud said:

I don't understand this point? Do you mean personal sponsorships?

He earns less in endorsements than any other sportsman in Forbes top 50. He has lost many of them. Hamilton is looking at 20-30 times as much.

Hamilton is an almost perfect advertising vehicle though - young, successful, inspirational, "a person of colour", etc - basically a strong brand influencer.

Whilst Vettel's lack of social media presence enamours me to him, he's pretty much useless for any brand trying to raise their profile, be seen being worn by him appealing to ABC1s, etc.

[Durzel]

Mr. White said:

I think it's largely that his arrogance during those RB years wasn't warranted given the car advantage he enjoyed.

Such arrogance was never going to make him likeable, but it was compounded by the above.

That's a fair point I think. RBR was leagues ahead of everyone at the time. But - for me - Hamilton was pretty insufferable during that era too, complaining publicly about "the spectacle suffering". He was right, but it's a charge that could just as easily be levelled at him/Merc now.

I'm prepared to write off that aspect of Hamilton, and indeed Vettel, to them being hyper competitive and by necessity believing themselves to be "best of the best".

I agree with what has been said above regarding him being different in recent times too.

[Durzel]

yoshisdad said:

I could imagine that if he wasn't a F1 driver, he'd be a supporter paying to see the spectacle. Not all drivers come across that way...

Spot on, I think you (and others) hit on exactly why I like the guy. I can imagine, and would enjoy I'm sure, to have a beer and a chat about the history of motorsport and know that he felt as passionate about all aspects of it as I did.