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Sebastian Vettel explains social media absence

Published on 20 Jun 2017 11:49
7
By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel is one of very few drivers in motorsport who is absent from social media. Drivers have used social media in the last number of years to interact with fans and this year, Liberty Media lifted restrictions on what can't be posted trackside.

The four-time world champion says he does not feel the need to post what he is doing all of the time: "I just don't understand why you have to constantly tell everyone what you are doing, where you are, who you are with," he told German broadcaster RTL.

"I simply don't have this need, but at the same time I don't blame people if they are constantly talking about themselves. I think I grew up in a generation that was quite shy of having pictures taken or seeing themselves."

Vettel went on to say that he doesn't understand the 'selfie' phenomenon and that he gets so much more out of shaking someone's hand: "People come and say 'Can we take a picture' and suddenly they are gone again.

"I sometimes ask what they will do with it, and often the answer is 'No idea'. The other day someone said they needed a photo to prove to his friends that he actually met me. I said 'You cannot be a reliable friend if they don't believe you!' I have to admit I get a lot more out of shaking someone's hand and then sharing the experience of meeting someone."

Fergal Walsh

ianf1

Posts: 185

Fully agree with him on this one!

1
Jun 20 2017 - 12:12

F1 News Sebastian Vettel

Replies (7)

ianf1

Posts: 185
Fully agree with him on this one!
- + 1
- Jun 20 2017 - 12:12
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Really? I think social media is great for fans, its the only way many will ever get to interact with the drivers
  + 0
  
  Jun 20 2017 - 12:24
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  News flash: Drivers are there to race for themselves, they are not there to please you/fans. Fans think because they pay for race tickets or TV subscriptions that they're entitled to insights into the lives of drivers. The same internet twats will then turn around to whine about NSA spying, big brother, internet privacy etc. if they want privacy so bad, so do drivers!
  
  If the drivers don't want to interact with the so called fans? Simple: Deal with it.
  
  The internet is filled with these entitled twats.
  + 0
  
  Jun 20 2017 - 13:17
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Lol calm down.. drivers seem more than happy to use social media to interact with fans, i've never heard anyone say they're entitled to an insight. Yes as a fan, its nice to see some interaction. Drivers choose to interact, they are not forced.
  + 0
  
  Jun 20 2017 - 14:51
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Bwahaha I like your feigned need to ask someone else to calm down when infact you are whining about social media being the "only way". Operative word here "only" is a clear sign of crying by entitled internet twats. Really? the 'only' way? The man has spelled it out for you, 'shaking hands', so pull that thumb out of your entitled butt for once and comprehend. Me being nice and cuddling you with safe zone class commentary is not a sign of being composed, there is no need to be nice to twats on the internet *glasses on*
  + 0
  
  Jun 20 2017 - 16:24
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Having drivers talk with media or fans is nice, but its far from required. Vettel is a very private guy, much like Schumi were in the days, so its fully understandable that he doesnt have much of a social media or regular media presence.
  + 0
  
  Jun 20 2017 - 18:11
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Yup he da man. He is not merely the best driver today in F1 hands down, Vettel is also a class act off the track.
- + 0
- Jun 20 2017 - 13:15