Breaking news
Formula 1
Vettel expands on "Bring back f***ing V12s" remark
Sebastian Vettel says his frustrated radio message for Formula 1 to 'bring back the f***ing V12s' after his Russian GP retirement was borne of ongoing angst at the downside of the current turbo hybrid engines.
Jonathan Noble Adam Cooper
Edited: Oct 2, 2019, 4:00 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber

Vettel's hopes of a podium finish at Sochi on Sunday were dashed when the MGU-K on his car failed shortly after his pitstop.
With the team realising that continuing to race on risked damaging the engine, Vettel was ordered to stop his car immediately – which in doing so prompted a virtual safety car that cost teammate Charles Leclerc the win.
After being told to jump clear of his car, a disappointed Vettel came over the radio and said simply: "Bring back the f***ing V12s.'
Reflecting late on about whether the disappointment of the day had prompted him to reconsider staying in F1, Vettel said: "There's no series like Formula 1 with V12s, otherwise I would consider!
"But, no, I mean, obviously there's no option. These power units are very complex.
"I think from an engineering point of view, very fascinating, but obviously I have my stand on it, and I don't think it comes with a great upside for us racing, and people watching."
Read Also:
- Ferrari: Engine advantage "not as huge as Mercedes had"
- Brawn: Vettel/Leclerc rivalry "potentially explosive"
- Vettel makes shifter kart debut in Tony Kart test
Vettel said that having been in contention for the win in Russia, despite the controversy surrounding the Ferrari team orders, the retirement had been very hard to accept.
"In that moment obviously it was very bitter, because up to that point I thought I drove very well, and it was looking like a good afternoon," he explained.
"Then obviously the first reaction when the car sort of breaks down is always not the happiest one."
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes accounts reveal cost of 2018 F1 title
Next article Williams plans front wing 'experiment' in Suzuka
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment

More from
Jonathan Noble

Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours

The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season

Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress

More from
Sebastian Vettel

Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC 14 d
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans

Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
Formula 1 15 d
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did

More from
Ferrari

Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"

What the Brazilian GP revealed about F1's ability to cope with rain
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 d
What the Brazilian GP revealed about F1's ability to cope with rain
Latest news

"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
49 min
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027

Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26

The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Feature
Discover prime content

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe





