Malaysian Grand Prix 2013, Kuala Lumpur - Race 2/19

[Skeeter]

Mercedes Magic Paddle was the best

This does throw an interesting question back to those who were so enraged by Vettel passing. The key 'difference' people were hung up on between this and Silverstone 2011 (or Monaco 2007 with the McLarens which we were recently reminded of in a rather odd article that practically admitted McLaren used team orders when they were banned) was that it wasn't a fair fight because Webber was told to, and did, turn his engine down. Now that this turns out not to be the case it boils down to just 2 drivers being told to hold position, and the one behind ignoring it, something we have seen many times before.

It makes the calls for RBR to ban Vettel, rules to be written to force drivers to follow team orders, and comparisons made to being a rapist seem rather over the top now, doesn't it.

 

[dannyjo22]

Pretty much throws all the argument's about Vettel only catching because Webber had been told to turn his engine down out the window, doesnt it?

No. They had been told the positions they were in were the finishing positions. We don't know what else was told regarding maps.

That Multi 21 was car 2 then 1 as finishing positions was reported the day after the race. Of course the drivers knew what that meant as Webber was keen to repeat to Vettel prior to taking the podium. It changes nothing.

Of course if the drivers are told that's the finishing order then it's natural to let a driver close the gap if he wants while you are taking care of the car and fuel levels. I don't think he was mugged because he did or didn't turn the engine down, he was mugged because the team told them the race was over.

 

[sunama]

I don't think he was mugged because he did or didn't turn the engine down, he was mugged because the team told them the race was over.

Spot on!
Webber was already cruising, not expecting Vettel to attempt the pass; he had been told that Vettel would not pass him. Webber was taking care of his car - which normal in this day age. At that time, most drivers on the track would've been told to now look after their cars and "bring it home".

The problem happened when Vettel just couldn't allow another driver to finish ahead of him, unless it was on merit.

In any case, this is not big deal.
Both drivers belong to the same team.
Nobody crashed.
No rules were broken.

For me, the main story of the last race was that Vettel is now leading the championship and over the last 3 years we have seen that once he leads the title race, he never relinquishes the lead.

For me, Vettel is now overwhelming favourite to win a 4th title in a row.

 

[Outcast]

I suspect Mark may just "miss his braking point" a little more often now !!

 

[Mr Men]

Sebastian Vettel: I don't apologise for winning following Malaysian GP

World champion Sebastian Vettel says he does not apologise for winning following the controversial Malaysian GP, in which he ignored team orders.

The Red Bull drivers were told to hold station, with team-mate Mark Webber ahead, but Vettel ignored the call and took the win.

Vettel apologised for the overtake after the incident and Red Bull boss Helmut Marko said the row was settled.

But ahead of the Chinese GP, Vettel said: "I don't apologise for winning."

He added: "I think that's why people employed me in the first place and why I'm here. I love racing and that's what I did.

"In Malaysia we were surprised being at the top. The whole race we worked well with the tyres. I think that's what people forgot.

"What stuck in their heads was the way the race ended. There's not much more to add than what happened. I told the team straight after.

"I apologised for putting myself above the team which I didn't mean to do. There's not much more to say."

During the race, which Webber led from lap six, three-time world champion Vettel repeatedly asked the Red Bull management to ask his team-mate to move over for him.

But they ordered him to stay behind Webber, with team principal Christian Horner accusing Vettel of "silly" behaviour.

Vettel, however, maintained his offensive and passed Webber around the outside at Turn Four after their final pit stops.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22098438

 

[AshD93]

Beat me to it Mr Men. Good on you Vettel!

 

[Duke]

Looks like they won't be giving team orders again. That is until they either collide or when Vettel is given backing like normal then

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/292836/red-bull-will-no-longer-give-team-orders/

 

[Domo]

I'm a actually going to make an effort to watch F1 this year, bringing an end to a 5 year break which began after Glock moved over for LH to win the DC over Massa .
Team issues at McLaren and Mercedes will be entertaining.

 

[Cavallino]

Looks like they won't be giving team orders again. That is until they either collide or when Vettel is given backing like normal then

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/292836/red-bull-will-no-longer-give-team-orders/

Excellent can't wait to see Marko's "strategy" blow up in his face when he's got a raging bull (in Webber) surely looking to exact vengeance on Vettel.

Don't usually support the RBR drivers at all, but this time, rooting for Webber all the way.

(Second to Alonso though )

 

[~Mike~]

so vettel does understand what multi 21 is even though he denies it