Level of maturity helping Vettel shut out the critics

Sebastian Vettel says a decade of experience has enabled him to enjoy his racing more than before, and remain oblivious to critics.

The German driver started his season on a roll, notching up two consecutive wins in Australia and Bahrain, before ceding the command of the championship on Sunday to arch-rival and Azerbaijan Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton

Vettel insists he isn't worried however, believing Ferrari still has the edge over Mercedes.

"The result doesn’t change anything, we still have a very good car," Vettel said after Baku.

The 30-year-old also believes his maturity and level of experience have now brought him more consistency as well as a more laid back view of Formula 1's affairs, including its critics

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"I think when you grow up, you change your view on some things, you get hopefully a bit wiser, so your horizon changes and also your motivation is different," he explained.

"Maybe you are looking at things a bit differently.

"I think the most important is that you know who you are and you’re true to yourself, then I think you can afford to listen less to what’s going on around and not be distracted and simply enjoy your racing," added Vettel.

The four-time world champion, who is fighting this year with Hamilton to equal the great Fangio's tally of five titles, stresses the importance of minimizing mistakes when racing at the front, a quality also derived he says from what happens in a driver's life beyond the racing arena.

"If you want to fight at the front, you cannot afford to do many mistakes," he said.

"And for whoever is at the top and was at the top in the past for many years usually has a high level, and there’s a lot of effort going into it, not just putting everything together at the track but also away from the track."

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