Every F1 driver is immensely competitive in nature, and Christian Horner exploited this trait in Sebastian Vettel for years. Bernie Ecclestone, who is a master of Backgammon, was always pitted against Vettel before every race in an attempt to fire up the German race driver.
The former F1 boss reveals that Vettel usually lost against him in that game. And the regular defeats used to infuriate the four-time world champion. In return, he used that anger to get the best results for Red Bull, and this was a master tactic by Horner.
“I taught him to play backgammon. He’s a winner and does get upset when he doesn’t win. Christian Horner used to say to me, ‘make sure you play backgammon before the race, that you beat him. Because he gets aggressive,” said Ecclestone to Business F1.
Defeats that benefitted Sebastian Vettel
If this was the tactic used by Red Bull for the years they won the championship with Vettel, then a very clever tactic by Horner indeed. The aggressive driving style, mixed with brilliance, allowed the German race driver to inspire Red Bull to four successive championship campaigns.
Those were the days when Red Bull came out from being dark horses to become the world champions for one of the longest periods of time in the sport’s history.
Now, 10 years later, Red Bull is once again back at the front. The Milton-Keynes-based team with Max Verstappen is inching closer to yet another title success.
Living life with ease
Both Ecclestone and Vettel have retired from the sport and are spending their leisure time on the endless wealth they created through the motorsport business. Though, fans still want Vettel to return and compete in the sport.
However, so far, Vettel has refused to participate in the sport as he wants to spend time with his family. However, he is confirmed to appear in this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he will drive Ayrton Senna’s legendary McLaren MP4/8 and Nigel Mansell’s Williams (FW14B).
Last, fans spotted Vettel competing in the Race of Champions that happened in Sweden and teamed with Mick Schumacher. But fans always want more of him, but sadly he is unlikely to ever get back in regular racing action.
