Mark Webber throws shade on Sebastian Vettel for apologizing on the podium after Multi-21 fiasco
Mark Webber recalled the 2013 Malaysian GP's Multi 21 fiasco and berated Sebastian Vettel for glibly apologizing for controversy.
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel (via IMAGO)
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were teammates at Red Bull back in 2009 to 2013. Both drivers were highly competent and often clashed heads on the track while fighting for race wins. However, the 2013 Malaysian GP saw a controversial Multi 21 fiasco where Vettel ignored the team’s commands and overtook Webber with 13 laps to go.
Mark Webber has put forth his thoughts regarding the entire incident once again after over 10 years of the fiasco. Sebastian Vettel at the time had apologized for the incident while standing on the podium. However, Webber believed that this was easy to do and didn’t mean much. Regardless, the Aussie claimed that Vettel was on his racing instincts and fighter mode.
Seb apologised on the podium, which is easy to do, isn’t it? So I think at the time, his instinct, helmet on, we’ve all been there where sometimes the helmet, when it’s on, you just go into…, you are in fighter modeMark Webber said on the Formula For Success podcast
Subsequently, Webber asserted Vettel wanted to get the job done himself and score a better finish. Hence, this was the reason that Vettel superseded the team’s call and overtook the Australian. According to the 48-year-old, the German’s selfishness rolled into his performance in Malaysia after he created the controversy.
You want to get the bloody job done for yourself – and the selfishness actually does have a big chance of rolling into your performance and executing the race.Mark Webber added
Mark Webber claimed Sebastian Vettel still ‘went against’ what the team thought back then
Mark Webber didn’t hold grudges against Sebastian Vettel despite managing only a P2 finish. However, Webber reiterated that before the race, Red Bull had decided on how to end the race for both drivers. Regardless, Vettel went against team orders and did his own thing which the Aussie didn’t quite appreciate.
Because before the race, it was set that that’s how we were going to finish the Grand Prix. I mean, of course, Seb did his own thing and went against what the team thought.Mark Webber noted
Despite the problems between the two drivers, Vettel went on the dominate the remainder of the season and amassed his fourth consecutive world championship. Such rivalries were the reason behind increasing the competition and excitement in the sport. With the passage of time, both drivers made up with each other and currently are on good terms.
In case you missed it:
Aditya Pandya
(1051 Articles Published)