With sports fans in Pakistan experiencing dearth of international action, Formula One's youngest double world champion Sebastian Vettel has showered them with hopes of seeing him in action in the future.
Vettel, who, at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, equalled Nigel Mansell’s record of 14 pole position in a single season, has won 11 races this year including the inaugural Indian Grand Prix that marked the arrival of Formula One in the subcontinent.
With a huge following in the country – of the sport and the driver – the security situation and the infrastructure will hinder any possibilities of the sport coming to Pakistan but Vettel’s willingness may give authorities a push to get things moving.
“It is great to know that there are so many fans around the globe watching us race, especially if they don’t get a chance to see us live in action and on the track,” Vettel told The Express Tribune in Abu Dhabi.
“I hope that, one day in the future, there will be an opportunity for us to bring the sport closer to them. This will allow us to help them experience what it is all about.”
Vettel’s retirement in Abu Dhabi, his first since last year’s Korean Grand Prix over a year ago, ended his run as the only driver to finish every race in 2011.
The right rear puncture allowed on the opening lap allowed Briton Lewis Hamilton to take the lead, one that he maintained until the chequered flag to win one of his ‘best races’. Vettel’s unassailable lead in the championship, however, allowed him a smile despite such an early exit after a stunning qualifying lap that threatened another podium finish.
Massa issued warning
Meanwhile, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has issued a warning to Brazilian driver Felipe Massa to improve in the next season.
Massa has failed to finish higher than fifth this season and has seen his teammate Fernando Alonso win at Silverstone and sit third in the drivers’ rankings, just 10 behind former world champion Jenson Button.
Alonso’s 245 points are more than double Massa’s 108 and has led to speculation over the Brazilian’s future.
“Let’s hope 2012 goes well,” Montezemolo told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I have great confidence in our drivers and there seems to have been a clarification as regards the regulations.
“I’m sure we’ll have a more competitive car. We have a contract with Fernando until 2016 and he’s the best driver in the world.”
Montezemolo was not satisfied with the team’s performance in the season, terming its reluctance to take enough risks during the winter the biggest reason behind its downfall.
“I’d give the team a five on ten which I’ll raise to six considering the effort and the victory at Silverstone exactly 60 years after Ferrari’s first win in F1. But the season started badly, we didn’t interpret the regulations well and we didn’t take risks in the technology of our project.”
Vettel’s show this season
Australia - 1st
Malaysia - 1st
China - 2nd
Turkey - 1st
Spain - 1st
Monaco - 1st
Canada - 2nd
Valencia - 1st
Britain - 2nd
Germany - 4th
Hungary - 2nd
Belgium - 1st
Italy - 1st
Singapore - 1st
Japan - 3rd
Korea - 1st
India - 1st
Abu Dhabi - DNF
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2011.
COMMENTS (26)
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sure and Vettel will be given fool proof security by the Pak govt.... sort out more important problems first,,, FORMULA 1 CAN WAIT... India did it,,,as they have money to spare,,, india would not have done it 10 yrs ago...
Its not so unbelievable that F1 one will be held in Pakistan one day... its just started in India this year... so there's hope of this happening..err just not in the near future! :)
@kf1: Well, Pakistan is one of the few countries which has an A1 team and has competed in A1 races before. I don't see anything surprising if our drivers join F1 in the future or we hold an event here. There is a big F1 following here too and the automotive industry is still in a developing phase
What a joke!!!
i cant find Pakistan up there
F1 cars are too poor to race on Pakistani track.
What a misleading headline
I recommend our Bund road of Lahore where once in golden days we use to have our illegal horse cart(hodas) races! The one who has not experienced that event of Lahore, is still not born!
why are u people thinking so bad for pakistan,.........pakistan can do inshallah. and vettel is talking abt pakistan i hear in news..
What??!!!! Getting F1 to Pakistan should be the last of the things to do for the country. Just because India gets F1, Pakistan can't think it needs it too. India got it because its the 2nd fastest growing economy in the world, has a considerable F1 fanbase, has a good foundation for motor racing, has racing drivers and is a BIG market for F1 sponsors.
Atleast mention that question in the story...Otherwise how will others get that he was specifically asked about Pakistan...
http://www.facebook.com/groups/adminformula1/
If only F1 cars had bullock cart wheels!!! This dream would have been such a success!
Vettel hopes to race in Pakistan, but F1 doesn't run on hopes. May be they can sell Red Bull in cans in Pakistan but having a full fledge race weekend in Pakistan is too difficult, not impossible though. I see no chances. F1 is bigger stuff and the country is not ready at all. Although people like motorsports, but there is no market for such a sport and associated activities.
why not...whats big deal if pakistan develops racing circuit...we should encourage them to do it instead of ridiculing the idea...
Go ask him again and ask him to specifically say 'Pakistan' this time. We won't believe you otherwise :)
I don't need any proof but(in my opinion) i seriously Doubt the legitimacy of the story and i wonder if any question regarding Pakistan would have been asked. Nevertheless, it would be great if Pakistan will do something to promote Motor Sports in Pakistan.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not.
Thank you Sab and Faras! Inshallah one day!
O.M.G..we are having legitamcy wars here! Guys! Forget this and enjoy the story.why is our society stooped so low that we don't trust nobody.if misbah was asked abt his batting and he says 'its awful, I need to work hard on it'..wud you still question the author and argue that the word 'batting' wasn't thre in the quotes?why does tribune even allow such puerile comments.on other hand,good to hear vettel say that even though we all know that's not gona happen.
Joke of the day
The question he was asked was specifically about Pakistan. He doesn't need to mention the word 'Pakistan' when it's already in the question. Doubting the legitimacy of the story and the quotes should not be the issue, especially after the question was asked in person. The Express Tribune is the first and only Pakistani publication to have covered and be present at an F1 GP, as confirmed by the FIA.
“It is great to know that there are so many fans around the globe watching us race, especially if they don’t get a chance to see us live in action and on the track,” Vettel told The Express Tribune in Abu Dhabi." where is Pakistan mentioned...???
Realistically speaking market is not that big.
It would be nice to have a circuit on mountain.
May be in next life :P