It was a day of mixed emotions for Sebastian Vettel here on Sunday. Despite winning the Grand Prix of India, the Red Bull driver was a bit subdued in his celebration.
“To be honest with you, it's a little bit mixed emotions. On the one hand I am very, very happy. It's the first Grand Prix in India and I am proud to be the first winner. But looking back at last two weekends, we lost two of our mates. I didn't know Dan Wheldon, but he was a big name in motorsport. I got to know this year Marco Simoncelli and our thoughts are with them.”
“Yes, we are ready to take certain risks when we jump into the car but we obviously pray that every time nothing happens, but sometime you get reminded and it is the last thing that we want to see,” said Vettel in his tribute to the two racers.
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Wheldon died on October 16 after he was caught in a 15-car pile-up during the IndyCar Championships.
Simoncelli, a MotoGP racer, died at the Malaysian Grand prix in Sepang on October 23 following a crash.
“The last two weekends have been very, very difficult. We have had two fatalities, so it is very difficult, especially with Dan, whom I knew form an early age. So I think we should dedicate the first Indian race to Dan and obviously Marco, another super talented youngster,” said Jenson Button.
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Fernando Alonso, who finished third in the Grand Prix of India, behind Vettel and Button, also paid tribute to Wheldon and Simoncelli.
“As Sebastian and Jenson said, it's mixed feelings this weekend with sad weeks for motorsport with two accidents. I think we all raced for them today. We'll go ahead but always remember these two fantastic people,” he said.