Dark clouds were hanging over Hockenheim on Friday as little rivers flowed through the paddock leaving big puddles: F1 is under the weather!
Sebastian Vettel, who grew up half an hour away in Heppenheim, said: “I should probably apologise for the weather here. I’m sorry.”
The 23-year-old – fourth in the title race with 121 points – sat to the left of Michael Schumacher in a press conference ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix. To the right of Schumi was Mark Webber (third with 128 points).
Schumi looked like the buffer between the two Red Bull steers.
BILD asked the seven-time world champion which of his neighbours would win the title.
The Mercedes star replied: “You should not forget McLaren. The also have every chance. But if I commit myself now here, for whom I’m keeping my fingers cross… Sorry, Mark! It also has something to do with one’s own country, I’m for Seb.”
Webber quite simply: “Oh, that’s ok…”
But everyone feels it. The eyes of the world championship rivals never met in the front row. After his triumph at Silverstone, Webber desperately wants to beat Vettel at his home race in Hockenheim as well. It would give him a serious title boost – and would deal a big psychological blow to his rival.
Officially he insisted: “I have no problem with Seb.” Webber blamed the trouble elsewhere: “The media and everyone wants to wind up a nice rivalry between whoever it is, but Seb and I are naturally going about our jobs,” he said. “[We] have the same passion and the same drive to get the same result and there is nothing wrong with that.”
But Webber’s attack on Vettel in Silverstone (“Not bad for a number two driver”) did not help. Formula 1 experts have long spoken of the Australian leaving Red Bull.
Webber has lost a lot of sympathy – but at the Hockenheim circuit around 100,000 spectators and now Schumi will be against him. The Mercedes driver admitted: “My heart comes through there and with it the German bias.”
Schumi will help Vettel against Webber!
Vettel must finish ahead of Webber on home soil. Only then would he be back in the running for the title. He is remaining cool however – and did not want to discuss the disputes: “As far as I know, we are selling enough cans!”
What about Schumi at Hockenheim? He has a dream: “If we could manage a podium, that would be a great and a fantastic result for us… that’s what we’re aiming for.”
source: http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/more-sport/2010/07/23/f1-german-grand-prix/schumi-to-help-vettel-against-webber-on-home-soil.html
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