“I don’t know him really” - Sebastian Vettel opens up on relationship with Fernando Alonso in F1
Vettel and Alonso went head-to-head for the 2010 and 2012 world championships, with the Red Bull driver ꦆcoming out on top on both occasions.
The pair’s rivalry was incredibly respectful on track as they ne✅ver came to bl🎉ows during their respective title duels.
Alonso had been previously critical of Vettel for his run of success in the e♛arly 2010s, suggesting that it was down to the Red Bull car built by design guru Adrian Newey, rather than the German’s talents.
With Vettel retiring at the end of 2022, Alonso - to some surprise - was one to praise his former rival, ev♍en stating he wouldn’t fight him on the opening lap of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Reflecting on his rivalry with the Spaniard, Vettel recall𒁃ed his titanic duel with Alonso for the 201🐬2 championship.
“I think I admire him as a competitor," Vettel told the Beyond The Grid podcast. “He's probably been the toughest one, especially in [those] first couple of years, and we had [such] close battles at the end of the championships, both in 2010 and then 2012, in particular✤, which is still probably one of my favourite momentꦯs/memories.
“Just the tension comi﷽ng into the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, that morning, that build-up.
“I think that, for me, at least – I do🌳n't know for the people who were there, [they] were probably more relaxed – but for me, it was very intense, and I think both of us were very nervous."
Vettel conceded that he and Alonso never got to ▨know eachไ other away from the race track.
“I rate Fernando really high as a driver,” he added. “I think he has got so much natural talent, incredible determination, great racing instinct, and all of that he ha🦹sn't lost. You can see he loves his racing. He's 🅷very passionate.
“As a person, though, I don't🐷 know him, really. I wouldn't say we don't get along, I think we respect each other. But it's just never happened that we really got to know each other, spend time [together] or talk much outside racing.”
With a sharp eye for F1’s controversies and storylines, Connor is the heartbeat of our unbiased repo𝐆rting.
