![\"Sebastian-Vettel-3\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2012-rif-images\/f1-12-drivers\/Sebastian-Vettel-3.jpg\")
German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reports that, in the wake of the ‘Multi-21’ affair, F1’s reigning triple world champion is now an isolated figure in the paddock.<\/p>\nSebastian Vettel does not need friends to thrive, according to Dr Helmut Marko and Gerhard Berger.<\/p>\n
German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag reports that, in the wake of the ‘Multi-21’ affair, F1’s reigning triple world champion is now an isolated figure in the paddock.<\/p>\n
But Red Bull’s Dr Marko insists Vettel’s perceived lack of popularity is not a problem.<\/p>\n
“Sebastian is not a politician who has to win an election,” he insisted in Bahrain.<\/p>\n
“In formula one you don’t count up your friends; only your points.”<\/p>\n
Gerhard Berger, who is arguably most famous for being the great Ayrton Senna’s McLaren teammate, said Vettel’s character is simply a reflection of his success, and vice versa.<\/p>\n
“Drivers like Senna, Schumacher and Vettel are unable to follow these sorts of team orders,” the Austrian, making a visit to the Bahrain paddock this weekend, told El Pais.<\/p>\n
He was asked about Vettel’s refusal to let his teammate Mark Webber win in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
“Drivers like this want to win every race and every championship.\u00a0 You can’t talk to them and say, ‘Actually, this is what we are going to do’.<\/p>\n
“They’ll make whatever reply they like but when the time comes, their brain cannot process it.”<\/p>\n
Similarly, Berger dismissed Vettel’s inconsistent reaction to the affair; having so profusely apologised initially before verbally attacking Webber in China.<\/p>\n
“A waste of time,” said Berger.\u00a0 “Sebastian had no need to justify himself, because everyone is aware of his position.<\/p>\n
“He should focus on racing and winning, nothing else.”<\/p>\n
Anyway, it is not true to say that Vettel has no friends in F1, as he is actually close to the sport’s highest profile outsider, Kimi Raikkonen.<\/p>\n
Asked if success has ‘changed’ Vettel, the Iceman replied: “We don’t spend much time together, but I think he’s a nice guy.<\/p>\n
“If you compare him to four seasons ago, I think he’s older now and knows the sport better,” Raikkonen told Spain’s Marca sports newspaper.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Raikkonen refused to say whether he would accept the very same ‘Multi-21’ team order, if he had been in Vettel’s shoes in Malaysia last month.<\/p>\n
“There’s no point in thinking about it,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
Pressed for an answer, Raikkonen added: “It changes nothing.\u00a0 I have no interest in wasting time talking about it, because it hasn’t happened.<\/p>\n
“If it happens, we’ll see.”<\/p>\n
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