Vettel- Love Him or Hate Him

[The Cat]

I just wanted to gauge peoples opinions on Vettel, I saw a comment in another thread that Vettel is quickly becoming the villain that we love to hate, it really made me think and I'm still not decided.

At the beginning of the season I still really liked the guy, but his popularity outside germany seems to have plummeted, although is that really his fault??

IMO Red Bull have to take 90% of the blame for the fact that less and less people like Vettel, yes he himself has done a few things to push that along, the insane sign after his and Webbers crash, the No 1 fist pumping, his increasingly defensive demeanour and the refusal to accept any blame for the Turkey incident just a few examples, but he still comes accross (to me anyway) as a really nice guy, with an off the wall sense of humour, but with a really cast iron will to win.

Red Bull on the other hand, have inadvertantly turned him into a panto villain, partly through the popularity of his team mate, but largely because they have handled things really badly over the last few races.

I wasnt a massive fan of Schumacher which was largely the whole No 1 scenario that he had, and I've been in denial that its happening again with Vettel, especially at the expense of everyones 2nd favourite driver Webber. Slowly but surely I've noticed myself really wanting him to lose, I was happy when he had to pit on the first lap at Silverstone, whereas 6 months ago, I'd have wanted him to do well.

I'm Rambling now, anyways whats everyone elses thoughts, cast a vote!

[Jericoke]

I don't get much information about the drivers off track, mostly what I read here.  In F1 I'm mostly concerned with on track performance... the spectacle of the sport. 

I do find the off track stuff to be an interesting soap opera to fill in the time between races, but what I see on track is what matters... and Vettel is an asset to the sport.

I love him.

Perhaps he might cross a line, and become a 'love to hate' guy, like I felt with Schumacher.  The sport needs 'love to hate' as much as they need 'love'.  (Heck, American NASCAR has built their current business model on positioning drivers as 'love to hate'.)

[cosworth151]

I like the kid. With any luck at all he'll end up with one or more WDC titles. He's still quite young, however, and has a few things left to learn. Like don't do the "Schumi Swerve" at the start of a race.

I don't like the way RBR is shafting Mark to push Vettel up the ladder. I put the blame for that on the Austrians, not Horner or Vettel.

[greener_09]

Ive definatly gone from love to hate this season.When i used to look at Vettel i saw a young talented driver with a hell of a future but now i see a arrogance that i havnt seen since Schumacher was in his prime.Although hes a talented driver he hasnt won or proven anything yet.Hes gone down in a lot of peoples opinion so i can only recomend that he keeps out of the media spot light and concentrates on his driving.Redbull havnt helped the situation so should take some of the blame.

[Williamsfan]

I went for the 'used to like but now unsure' option.  He is without doubt a brilliant driver and an exciting prospect (imagine that, he can get better) but I think things are going on that are not putting him in a good light, even if some of them are not directly his fault.  I hope to be won over again though. 

[stealthhaggis]

I'm starting to hate Red Bull rather than Vettel, Vettel is just a very talented kid who is being told he is their number one driver and believing it. Not his fault really after all, F1 drivers all have ego's, Red Bull are just stroking his very hard at the moment. Course he is going to believe it when they say everything he does is good and correct and Webber is wrong and bad! It is a shame though as I always thought he was a good sport and funny. He is being poisoned by yes men, happens all over the world and to many, many better people than Vettel. Hopefully he will see it for himself one day, hopefully as he is a great talent.

[lkjohnson1950]

Red Bull on the other hand, have inadvertantly turned him into a panto villain, partly through the popularity of his team mate, but largely because they have handled things really badly over the last few races

Vettel has a fair amount of arrogance. The finger twirling was rude, but he just crashed out of the lead of a GP, so he's allowed to be upset. Red Bull would have done him a favor by sitting him down, showing him the film and telling him not to move over on someone before you've cleared them. Otherwise I totally agree with The Cat, it's Red Bull who are feeding the frenzy much, much more than Vettel himself.

Lonny

[John S]

He's good, how great he will become is bigger question but I hope he makes it to WDC in the future. Not sure it will be this year though. He is a Lewis style balls out racer, so I say there is only one answer for me in your kind of oddly worded voting selection - for his performances on track - I Love him. 

[andyb]

I honestly cant stand him. I think he and Red Bull are so unfair to Mark Webber and it almost has me hoping Mark wins the WDC. I cant believe i am saying that about an Aussie and a Red Bull  LOL 

andyb

[Scott]

Red Bull on the other hand, have inadvertantly turned him into a panto villain, partly through the popularity of his team mate, but largely because they have handled things really badly over the last few races

Vettel has a fair amount of arrogance. The finger twirling was rude, but he just crashed out of the lead of a GP, so he's allowed to be upset. Red Bull would have done him a favor by sitting him down, showing him the film and telling him not to move over on someone before you've cleared them. Otherwise I totally agree with The Cat, it's Red Bull who are feeding the frenzy much, much more than Vettel himself.

Well put.  I feel the same way.  No question Vettel has behaved badly, but the problem doesn't stem from him.

[SennaMan]

I'm starting to hate Red Bull rather than Vettel, Vettel is just a very talented kid who is being told he is their number one driver and believing it. Not his fault really after all, F1 drivers all have ego's, Red Bull are just stroking his very hard at the moment. Course he is going to believe it when they say everything he does is good and correct and Webber is wrong and bad! It is a shame though as I always thought he was a good sport and funny. He is being poisoned by yes men, happens all over the world and to many, many better people than Vettel. Hopefully he will see it for himself one day, hopefully as he is a great talent.

Well put mate - hate is too strong a word but personally I dislike RBR and SV perhaps far more than I should.

Consistently shafting MW is inexcusable and an outrage for which I shall never forgive them.

[Jugirl]

Cant stand the man. If Fernando does not win the Championship this year then i am cheering Webber all the way.
Jugirl