F4 figure questions Vettel ’patron’ role

DTM driver Timo Scheider has questioned Sebastian Vettel’s new role as a ’patron’ of the Formula 4 series.

"I’m pleased to make a contribution to increasing the attraction of Formula 4," said Vettel, who knows not only F4 newcomer Mick Schumacher but also his teammate Harrison Newey, the son of Red Bull designer Adrian.

But as the FIA-sanctioned junior series kicked off at Oschersleben at the weekend, where Schumacher jr won a race, Vettel was not there.

"I am curious to see if we do see Sebastian here" in 2015, said Scheider, a DTM driver for Audi but also now the manager of a Formula 4 team.

"PR helps Formula 4, of course, but in the end I’m only a fan of such a thing if it is implemented right.

"As long as he (Vettel) is not here in person and we don’t really know what he’s doing, it is of limited credibility," Scheider told Sport1.