Sparks fly between Vettel and Rosberg during press conference
Both present at the post-Australian Grand Prix press conference, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg gently crossed swords by responding to each other's remarks.
Press conferences are rarely notable moments of a Grand Prix weekend. The one at the first race of the 2015 season in Melbourne allowed Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel, who finished second and third respectively, to exchange a few jabs in the presence of a silent Lewis Hamilton.
The first dialogue between the two men begins when Rosberg states that he wants to see the competition get closer to enhance the spectacle. Here is its transcript:
NR: « I hope we can have a good fight. That would be great. I think that in the next two races, we will lead for sure, and we will try to keep it that way, but we know it would be good if they could get a bit closer, as long as they don’t get too close… »
SV: « Be honest: do you really hope for that? Seriously? You finished 30 seconds ahead of us and you hope it’s going to be closer? So you hope to slow down? Is that what you’re saying? »
NR: « I hope you can give us a run for our money! Because it’s important for the sport and for the fans. And I’m thinking about the show. A part of me thinks about the show because I want to give the people at home in front of the TV or at the circuit a good time. If you can get a little closer, that would be great for everyone. »
**SV:** « First suggestion, if you allow me, I think your garages should be made public in Malaysia so that everyone can take a look. No? Just kidding. »
NR: « You can come if you want, we can invite you… »
SV: « OK, thanks for the invitation, I will come. »
**NR: **« Friday in Malaysia, OK. »
SV: « The engineers’ room? I’ll be there for the debrief. »
A few moments later, it’s Sebastian Vettel’s turn to be interrupted during one of his responses when he explains that he is disappointed by his teammate Kimi Räikkönen’s retirement, due to a poorly attached wheel in the 42nd lap.
**SV:** « Kimi didn’t finish, which is a shame. We could have scored many more points today. »
**NR:** « … do you think it’s a shame that your teammate didn’t finish?
**SV:** « Yes. I don’t really know how much you appreciate each other [with Lewis Hamilton, editor’s note] but Kimi and I get along well, so I think it’s a shame. »
NR: « I thought that as a race car driver, you would have liked to have a points advantage over him. I didn’t mean to trouble you, sorry. Oops. […] »
**SV:** « I understand your point. No, no. At this moment, where we are, we want to make sure we can catch up with you and to do that we both need to score points. Yes, I honestly think that and I really didn’t want to see the second car not finish the race today. »
NR: « I am ready to play now, you caught me by surprise earlier but now I’m ready! »
