Sebastian Vettel on Sunday offered one of Formula One’s more exotic excuses by saying he had lost time in the Canadian Grand Prix by saving two seagulls from being flattened by his Ferrari.
“I think it was a couple that wanted to commit suicide,” the German said with a smile after finishing second to Mercedes’ world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at a chilly Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“They were at the apex of turn one. Lewis obviously didn’t care, so he made up quite a bit of time, about half a second, but I didn’t do that couple that favor to say goodbye for good,” the four-time Formula One world champion told reporters.
“By the time Lewis came around, they just flew off. Wasn’t fair. I brake for animals, Lewis doesn’t,” he added.
The German, who had led the race until his first pit stop, continued the theme afterward with some relish — hijacking Hamilton’s interview with Britain’s Sky Sports TV for some more good-natured banter about birds.
“I feel that you’re using the seagulls. I feel that they were innocent,” an amused Hamilton said.
“I saw you lock up and then the seagulls did move,” the three-time world champion added.
Getting more into the spirit, Hamilton added: “Hey man, it was planned. You know I’m good with animals, right? Like Doctor Dolittle, I told them to be there and they were there.”
Vettel insisted he had a case, even if he then undermined it by saying: “I’m a racing driver, so I have to find some sort of excuse for why the hell you beat me today.”
“I went into turn one and I saw this stupid couple of seagulls standing there, all relaxed,” the German added. “My car’s red. It’s easy to see, it doesn’t blend in like yours.”
“That’s what really annoyed me. There’s a red car coming and they stayed there,” Vettel added.
The last word went to Hamilton, who celebrated the 45th win of his career and fifth in Canada.
“I think I might have to buy you a couple of seagulls,” he said.
“I think you need a couple,” he added.
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