Sebastian Vettel has opened up on why he is in many ways the polar opposite of Lewis Hamilton in terms of off-track social profile despite both being four-time Formula 1 world champions.
The German has always been one of the most interesting figures in the paddock during his career with his personality and success early in his career, however, during his championship winning years some fans turned on him for a perceived arrogance.
Switching to Ferrari in 2015, the early-career Vettel re-emerged often breaking the tense atmosphere between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their rivalry with some kind of quip, privately though, the 31-year-old has always remained subdued with his wife and two children very rarely seen at races.
Asked about why his social status is so muted, with no Twitter or Instagram account, Vettel admits it’s about keeping his two lives separate.
“Obviously F1 is a big part of my life but it is not the most important thing,” he told The Guardian newspaper. “They are linked, but it is important there is a lot of time where it doesn’t define who I am.
“I don’t feel special because of what I do for a job. I am a lot of other things as well.”
Compare to that Hamilton who is often seen at fashion shows and music events between races and does have that public profile that in years to come will go beyond just being known as an F1 driver.
It is for that, that former supremo considered the Briton a better world champion for the sport, despite his friendship with Vettel.
“I am a sportsman, not a celebrity,” Sebastian continued. “So when I go somewhere and somebody recognises me I think they are interested in sport and not in how I do my hair, or which shoes I am wearing or that bollocks.”
On the track though, there is very little to choose between the two men, with Vettel currently holding an eight-point lead in the championship ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
After his victory at Silverstone just over a week ago, the son of nearby Heppenheim considered what it would take to convert his lead into a fifth F1 title.
“I think we need to improve our car until the end of the year,” he told Formula1.com. “I think our car is very good [but developing] will be key, because then you have something to fight [with]. And if you have something to fight [with], something to play with, then you can make it happen.”
