Jul.22 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel was slightly limping in the puddle-strewn Hockenheim paddock on Thursday.
On Wednesday night, the Red Bull driver sat out the traditional pre-German grand prix football game — which the F1 drivers’ team nonetheless won.
It emerges the Red Bull driver fell whilst jogging last week.
“It is a little bit of a strain of the muscle,” he confirmed, “but I can drive, no problem.”
Vettel was reserved when questioned about the Silverstone front wing furore, but acknowledged that the affair will not be hurting his employer’s bottom line.
“As far as I know, we are selling enough cans!” he grinned.
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In the FIA press conference, Michael Schumacher played mediator by sitting in between at-war Red Bull duo Vettel and Mark Webber.
The seven time world champion admitted he is barracking for his countryman to win the title. “Sorry, Mark,” he meekly apologised to the Australian Webber.
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At a media event aptly demonstrating the driving of trucks, and after sitting out Silverstone for mainly unexplained reasons, HRT driver Bruno Senna said his arrangement is to stay in the F110 for the rest of 2010.
But with his regular teammate Karun Chandhok on the sidelines in Germany, the Brazilian acknowledged: “I hope I am racing for the rest of the season but nothing in life is a guarantee.
“I have a job today but maybe not tomorrow,” said Senna.
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Lotus technical boss Mike Gascoyne recently indicated the Italian had done enough to retain his seat for 2011, and on Thursday Jarno Trulli agreed: “I’m very motivated to stay because I have paid my dues this year, next year I want to see the results.
“I’m really excited to carry on and see where I can take this team,” added the veteran of 225 grands prix.
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Mercedes reserve driver Nick Heidfeld was spotted inside the Renault motor home on Thursday afternoon.
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The FIA’s Charlie Whiting arrived in Germany after a visit to the site of the inaugural Korean grand prix.
There has been ongoing speculation about the circuit’s readiness for its late October race date, but Briton Whiting said the venue is of “the highest standards”.
“I was fully satisfied with the inspection,” he added, despite English journalists last week finding the actual track layout devoid of asphalt.
“There is still work to be done,” acknowledged Whiting, “but the circuit should be ready in good time for the first grand prix.”
