F1 News
Vettel only joined podium out of respect for rivals
Sebastian Vettel has said that the only thing that forced him to the podium after Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix was to show respect to his rivals Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who joined him on the rostrum.
In one of the most controversial moments in recent times in F1, Vettel ran wide at turn three, cutting turn four and rejoining the track still ahead of Mercedes’ Hamilton.
Vettel was adjudged to have impeded Hamilton and given a five second time penalty for an unsafe re-entry to the track, which ultimately cost him a first victory of the season.
Following the race, Vettel did not park in the podium positions, instead leaving his car at the other end of the pitlane, and it wasn’t clear whether he would even go to the podium.
Eventually he did make it but says he only did it because of the respect he has for his competitors.
He said during the post-race press conference: "I didn't want to join in with anything. I was angry and disappointed, I think everyone understands why.
"But I think it's respect to show to Lewis and Charles and the representative from Mercedes to be part of the podium.
"Certainly it's not the place I wanted to be, at that point I wanted to get out, being there is not of my free will but I had to be there."