Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

The story behind Sebastian Vettel's 'finger celebration'

Last Updated: 27/10/15 5:18pm

Speaking on this week's F1 Midweek Report, Trevor Carlin reveals why his former driver Sebastian Vettel uses the 'finger celebration'

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Speaking on this week's F1 Midweek Report, Trevor Carlin reveals why his former driver Sebastian Vettel uses the 'finger celebration'
Speaking on this week's F1 Midweek Report, Trevor Carlin reveals why his former driver Sebastian Vettel uses the 'finger celebration'

The story behind Sebastian Vettel's famous 'finger celebration' has been revealed on this week's edition of the F1 Midweek Report.

The German's trademark right index finger victory salute became synonymous with Red Bull's four-year domination of F1 and was on display once again this season when Vettel, who now drives for Ferrari, claimed his first pole position in two years at the Singapore GP last month. 

Vettel's 'finger celebration' became so unpopular at the height of Red Bull's dominance that it was even suggested he should drop it. "We have had a little bit of a chat as some people for some reason seem to get offended," Vettel said in October 2013. "But I think the most important thing is you are who you are and stick to that."

And the personal story behind the victory salute has now been revealed by Trevor Carlin, the team boss for whom Vettel drove in the early stage of his motorsport career in the Formula Renault 3.5 series in 2006-7.

"He was massively fast and in his first season for us he decided to take Eau Rouge flat in a wet race," Carlin told the F1 Midweek Report. "He had a massive accident and while he was trying to catch the accident his front wheel came off, flew over the car and caught the top of his finger - and took the top of his finger off.

"The next day he turned up at the circuit with a big bandage on his finger - and still smiling despite not being able to race. But the top of his finger had broken off and they had to stitch it back on."

Also See:

  • The Mark Hughes column
  • Brundle: Hamilton will be a legend

So does that explain why Sebastian is so proud to put it on show? Maybe...

Watch the F1 Midweek Report in full here online here

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Mbappe has Real Madrid and PSG agreements
  • 2
    Papers: Burnley want Kompany as boss if they stay up
  • 3
    Hamilton 'super happy' with Merc progress | Russell: Red Bull favourites
  • 4
    PL Predictions: A Man City wobble? Surely not?
  • 5
    Everton 'confident' FFP rules followed after Burnley & Leeds threaten action
  • 6
    Klopp's Ferraris ready for one final title push
  • 7
    Premier League Final Day: What's still to play for?
  • 8
    McIlroy denies nerves | 'Monumental effort' from Tiger
  • 9
    Zalatoris moves ahead at PGA; McIlroy slips back as Woods makes cut
  • 10
    Red Bull plan internal investigation into Aston Martin 'imitation' car
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK