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Vettel has 'respect' for Webber

ESPN Staff
July 19, 2012 « Button puts faith in latest updates | Massa focusing on staying at Ferrari »
Sebastian Vettel: "I think it's good for the team, we work well together; they know us so it's good" © Press Association
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Sebastian Vettel has declared his "respect" for Mark Webber after his Red Bull team-mate signed a new one-year deal with the team.

Webber's new contract was signed just after he had won the British Grand Prix and will see him spend a fifth season as Vettel's team-mate. While the two have appeared to have a somewhat frosty relationship in the past, Vettel said that the dynamic between the two was misrepresented by the media and that he was pleased to see Webber continue with Red Bull.

"Obviously I followed the transfer market lately as everyone else," Vettel said. "I had a little bit more knowledge but not that much more. I'm happy to hear [Webber's re-signed], we get along quite well with each other. Obviously we might not be best friends but that's not a disaster. I think people always put it in a very wrong light, I think we respect each other very much; I feel respect from his side and I respect Mark. So I think it's good for the team, we work well together; they know us so it's good. It's not my call but as I said I had a little bit more information and I was happy with the decision."

When asked if he felt he has a good competitive relationship with Webber this season, Vettel replied: "Absolutely.

"He's not happy if I'm ahead, I'm not happy if he's ahead, it's as simple as that. I think in a way that's how it should be. Obviously if you start crashing in to each other - which we have done as well! - then it's not so good but I think overall the team is happy and we respect each other, so I think that's the most important thing."

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