F1:Vettel vows no let-up in Korea

Champion driver says success will not change anything.

YEONGAM: Champion driver Sebastian Vettel said that he and his Red Bull team are still putting themselves under pressure to finish the season in style with the Korean Grand Prix in their sight.

The 24-year-old German clinched his second successive drivers’ title last weekend — setting the team up to retain their constructors’ crown this weekend in Korea.

However, Vettel said the success will not change anything. “The moment you come to a race thinking it doesn’t matter where you finish is when you stay at home,” he said.

“The championship was the ultimate target. Reaching that before the season’s end is not the usual but nevertheless we come here with pressure.”

Alonso uninterested in race for second

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso said he would just try to enjoy the year’s final events.

The two-time champion from Spain is third in the standings behind Vettel and Briton Jenson Button of McLaren, with four races remaining.

“I will try to win one race if possible, but we know that it’s going to be difficult,” he said.

“Once you cannot be champion there is no big interest and in the constructors’ championship, which is more important, McLaren are a long way ahead of us.”

Hamilton asked to ‘feel love’

Meanwhile, McLaren are rallying round out-of-sorts driver Lewis Hamilton after his disappointing season, said managing director Jonathan Neale.

Neale said Hamilton was downcast after a poor run in which he has not won since July and been involved in a series of incidents with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

“Lewis’ biggest critic is himself. He wants to win and he’s not happy when anyone beats him. [But] he’s a phenomenal driver. He’s always in the action and we love him for that,” added Neale.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2011.