GERMANY: MOTOR RACING: German Formula One fans stay upbeat despite Sebastian Vettel only taking fourth place behind Lewis Hamilton at the Nuerburgring

Record ID: 772778

  • Title: GERMANY: MOTOR RACING: German Formula One fans stay upbeat despite Sebastian Vettel only taking fourth place behind Lewis Hamilton at the Nuerburgring
  • Date: 25th July 2011
  • Summary: NUERBURGRING, GERMANY (JULY 24, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FANS LEAVING RACE (SOUNDBITE) (German) FRANK PERTILLER SAYING: "I think that Hamilton was a worthy winner. Absolutely. He drove a great race. It was a lot of fun watching it, it was a great race. Even though I am a Vettel fan but still.... at least he managed to gain one place." (SOUNDBITE) (German) MATHIAS MAC
  • Embargoed: 9th August 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA543SQAJUOUG9BPG5VPJKQ3YDO
  • Story Text: Despite McLaren's Lewis Hamilton winning the German Formula One Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring on Sunday (July 24), German fans are convinced that their hero Sebastian Vettel will bring the ultimate Formula One crown home after all.
    Hamilton producing a monumental drive to take his second win of the season after an enthralling battle with Ferrari's second-placed Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
    The world champion, who had won six of the previous nine races this season, ended a run of 11 straight podiums when he came home fourth with fifth spot looking on the cards before a late pitstop blunder for Ferrari's Felipe Massa.
    "I think that Hamilton was a worthy winner. Absolutely. He drove a great race," said Vettel fan Frank Pertiller. "Even though I am a Vettel fan but still.... at least he managed to gain one place," he managed to cheer himself up.
    And Mathias Machold added: "Unfortunately, it was not Vettel's race. This time. But he will probably win the next one."
    Fan Heinzenberger saw the jokey side: "You always let the guest go first! That is why Sebastian did pull over for a pit stop in the last lap," he said.
    Despite only taking fourth place, Vettel holds a 77-point lead over Webber in the championship standings. Fan Ralf Neumann was convinced that even though Vettel did not win on Sunday he will still be on top at the end of the season.
    "It was a pity that Vettel did not win today. But at the and of the season Vettel will be on top, that's for sure. He has an advantage of 90 points and even if you consider this race, nobody will catch him," he said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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