MAY 10, 2013

Vettel expects steward Jones to be fair in Spain

Sebastian Vettel has brushed off fears he might be the victim of unfair treatment this weekend in Spain.

Sebastian Vettel has brushed off fears he might be the victim of unfair treatment this weekend in Spain.

The ex-steward on the FIA stewards' panel this weekend in Barcelona is 1980 world champion Alan Jones.

Earlier this week, the Australian warned his countryman Mark Webber to treat German Vettel as an "enemy".

"Seb has proved he can't be trusted," Jones told the Guardian.

The 66-year-old former Williams driver was referring to the 'Multi-21' team orders affair, adding that if Vettel disagrees with Red Bull's instructions, "he shouldn't have signed his agreement in the first place".

Title leader and reigning world champion Vettel, however, brushed off suggestions he might be treated unfairly by Jones this weekend.

"I was not aware of that," he told Kolner Express newspaper, referring to Jones' comments.

"But if Mr Jones has taken the job as a steward, I am assuming that he is independent and neutral and so I expect no problems."

Vettel also rubbished rumours linking him with a move to Mercedes.

"I was surprised when I read it," he told reporters on Thursday.

"I don't read that much, usually just the headlines -- it's pretty funny."

(GMM)