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Villeneuve compares Vettel vs Webber with Pironi vs Villeneuve

Villeneuve compares Vettel vs Webber with Pironi vs Villeneuve

  • Published on 29 Mar 2013 13:26
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve is not sure Sebastian Vettel's apologies should be so readily accepted. Vettel repeatedly said sorry to Mark Webber after Sunday's Malaysian grand prix, where he passed the Australian for victory against Red Bull's orders. And he apologised to the Milton-Keynes based team's entire staff on Thursday, team boss Christian Horner revealed. "He recognises the team is vitally important and being part of the team is a crucial aspect to being able to challenge for the championships," said Horner.

But outspoken Villeneuve, now a television pundit, told Germany's Auto Bild: "It's easy to make excuses. "In the end he's got the win and the points. Mark has nothing. It was a deliberate decision by Vettel." French Canadian Villeneuve said it is obvious the 25-year-old triple world champion did the wrong thing. "The team give you the contract and pay you money and so you do what they want you to do. It's very simple," he said.

Villeneuve compared the Sepang saga with 1982, when Didier Pironi similarly ignored a 'do not pass' agreement to beat his father, Gilles Villeneuve, to the chequered flag at Imola. "Ignoring is just plain wrong," said Villeneuve. "The best example is my father and Didier Pironi. Just look at the problems that caused." Indeed, Villeneuve snr was so enraged by Pironi's actions that many believe it contributed to his crash and death at Zolder shortly afterwards.

Whatever the case, the general consensus in the paddock is that the affair has terminally damaged the teammates' relationship at Red Bull. "They will simply have to try to survive the rest of the season somehow," former driver Mika Salo told Finland's MTV3 broadcaster. "For next season, they (Red Bull) will probably look for another driver to put in Webber's place." (GMM)
F1 News Sebastian Vettel

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Date
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
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Bahrain International Circuit
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Saudi Arabia
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22 - Mar 24
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Gilles Villeneuve
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Date
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
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19 - Jul 21
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26 - Jul 28
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23 - Aug 25
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30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
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25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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Driver profile

DE Sebastian Vettel 5
Sebastian Vettel
  • Country Germany
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (36)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, Germany
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
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