Whilst from the outside it appears that Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber are the worst of enemies, particularly following the events in Malaysia this year, the German insists they enjoy a healthy working relationship.
The pair have often failed to see eye-to-eye on numerous occasions and things haven’t improved recently. Some have even suggested Webber’s decision to retire is somewhat based on his relationship with Vettel.
The four-time champion though says he has “enormous respect” for the Australian with whom he’s shared a team for the past five years.
“To be honest with you I think we always shared respect, especially on the track,” said Vettel. “When we’ve been fighting each other etc. I don’t think it was lacking respect. I think each one of us respected the other guy inside the car and his ability.
“As team-mates for the last five years we’ve got to know each other very well, meaning that I know his strengths and – not his weaknesses – but maybe the corners where I have a little bit of an advantage and vice-versa.”
Vettel also believes they are closer in terms of performance than it might appear from the outside due to his recent run of results.
“It has always been very close, maybe closer than what people remember, so I’ve appreciated that and therefore I have enormous respect.
“Surely you have to be honest as well; we didn’t have the best relationship on a personal level if you look back. But at the end of the day we were very successful for the team as well, winning four constructors’ in a row, so we made sure that together we scored enough points for the team.”
