Nico Hulkenberg admits Formula One drivers can get hot under the collar whilst racing but the Force India ace says Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel “is very special in that regard”.
Growing frustration led the Ferrari star to a radio meltdown of epic proportions at last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, with Vettel going as far as telling FIA race director Charlie Whiting to “f**k off!”.
“It’s always the world against Seb,” Hulkenberg replied when asked on his compatriot’s infamous rant. “I’m sure Charlie is not that happy, not impressed. Of course, sometimes you go ‘what a wanker’ or ‘what an idiot’ but usually they cut it out.
“But it does happen in the heat of the race, don’t take this wrong but in the media centre or at home on the couch, everything is on the limit with the finest margins and you try hard. So if something doesn’t go right you just feel ‘Aghhh’. Seb is very special in that regard.”
Formula One’s governing body considered calling the German in front of the International Tribunal for his foul language but eventually decided against punishing Vettel in the light of his immediate apologies and the letters he sent to both Whiting and FIA president Jean Todt.
FEATURE: Foul Play or Foul Language
Scene at the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix
Mexican Grand Prix - Quotes of the week
DRIVER RATINGS: Mexican Grand Prix
15 minutes with ... Nico Rosberg
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Mark Webber’s role in Oscar Piastri’s career is not simply about managing the McLaren driver’s…
Had Niki Lauda been given the good fortune to read the next day's newspaper on…
Few places in Formula 1 carry as much emotional weight for Ferrari as Monza, and…
Red Bull has been forced to confront an uncomfortable reality after the Dutch Grand Prix,…
Next month, Max Verstappen will trade Formula 1 for something far closer to where his…
Lewis Hamilton has candidly admitted that his frustration boiled over during the Dutch Grand Prix…