Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Rosberg and Vettel’s awkward exchange

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The post-race press conference following the Japanese Grand Prix saw an awkward exchange between Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel following a joke from the Ferrari driver.

All three drivers - Lewis Hamilton, Rosberg and Vettel - were asked if Pirelli’s tyre pressures had been too high at Suzuka, with Rosberg replying: “No, not at all.

“Everything was perfect. No problems at all.”

In reference to the Italian Grand Prix - where Mercedes was investigated but eventually cleared over tyre pressures below the Pirelli minimum - Vettel then responded with: “Were you low again?”

With Rosberg turning to Vettel and asking: “What?” Vettel said: “I’m joking. You can laugh as well. It was a joke, come on.”

A clearly unamused Rosberg replied: “I’m smiling!”

Eventually Hamilton picked up the pieces, praising the Pirelli tyres following a run of races which have seen the tyre manufacturer come in for criticism.

“All I know is that the tyres were... we don’t say it very often but the tyres were pretty amazing, particularly in the last stint,” Hamilton said. “They were the best they’ve felt for a long time. They really felt really good but it must have been how it felt for him (Vettel) in the last race.

“Through qualifying, they were good but generally in the race it was getting better and better as the car gets lighter and stuff but I don’t think they were a problem this weekend.”

RACE REPORT: Hamilton eases to dominant Suzuka victory

AS IT HAPPENED: Japanese Grand Prix

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.