Sebastian Vettel said he is not best friends with Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and that Formula One drivers have to be egotists to prevail in the sport.
Vettel told Der Spiegel news magazine in the latest issue published on Sunday that his clear aim is the world title.
Vettel and Webber collided earlier in the season at the Turkish Grand Prix and tempers flared again after Webber won the July 11 British GP. The Australian complained afterwards that Vettel had received preferential treatment by the team when he got the one new front wing available. Webber won with an old front wing.
Another truce has been established but Vettel said it was only natural for drivers to look after themselves first.
“The team is the priority ... (But) In the end the pecking order is led by the faster man... Every driver is an egotist because you go down in Formula One if you aren’t,” Vettel said.
“The team-mate is the first you want to beat because he has the same equipment.” Looking at his relationship with Webber, he said: “There is always a certain distance. We work together in certain areas to bring the team forward and to further develop the car. But apart from that everyone is focussed on himself and seeks his own advantage.”
Both Red Bull drivers are well-positioned to win the world championship this season. Webber is third behind McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button after 10 of 19 races. Vettel ranks fourth going into his German home GP on July 25.
Vettel, a runner-up to Button last season, made it clear that the title is his aim.
“I have no joy in being an also-ran. I need this self-affirmation that I am better than the others,” Vettel told Der Spiegel.
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