Oct.8 (GMM) Two top drivers were feeling the pressure at Suzuka on Saturday.
Sebastian Vettel was asked to respond to Maurizio Arrivabene’s critical words in the Italian press, in which the Ferrari boss said the German’s future at Ferrari is not secure.
“I don’t know exactly what Maurizio said, but in general we have a really good relationship,” Vettel insisted.
“As I always say, nothing is eaten as hot as it is cooked.
“If there is something I don’t like I tell him, and it works the other way around. There is nothing between us that needs to be sorted out.
“Our shared goal is that we want to become stronger and win races,” he added.
Also feeling the media’s heat on Saturday was world champion Lewis Hamilton, who was clearly stung by British newspapers having slammed his behaviour during the FIA press conference.
The Mercedes driver had been accused of disrespecting the media by playing with the ‘Snapchat’ phone app, so he hit back after qualifying.
At the Mercedes news conference, Hamilton said he would not be taking questions from the written press.
“I have decided I am not actually here to answer your questions,” he said.
Confirming it is a response to the ‘Snapchat’ saga, Hamilton explained: “What was more disrespectful was what was then written worldwide.
“I don’t really plan on sitting here many more times for these kind of things, so my apologies and I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your weekend,” he said, before standing up and leaving.
Mercedes refused to comment.