Sebastian Vettel answers your questions

In an F1 paddock not exactly renowned for its levity, Sebastian Vettel is reliably always up for a laugh. This aspect of his personality isn't immediately obvious, since he prefers to keep his press appearances to a minimum and Ferrari like to keep their star driver happy by acceding to such wishes.

But he has a brain that fires on more cylinders than those of a number of his peers. Unless something has gone very wrong for him out on track, his interviews are laced with a wry, cheeky humour - and his impersonation of Jean Todt at the Autosport Awards a few years ago was comedy gold.

So this appointment with F1 Racing has been a long time coming. The last time we did 'You Ask the Questions' with Seb was during his early days at Red Bull - and that's a shame, since his honesty, openness and capacity to talk intelligently and passionately about racing are a delight to experience.

Still, having so much water pass under the bridge since means there's plenty of material for you to work with - along with a wealth of life experience (including four world championships) for Seb himself. So it's with good-humoured curiosity that he reaches for the question cards before picking up the first one and turning it over...

Of the helmets you've had designed in your career, which one is your favourite - and how much input do you have in the designs?
Lucy Hanson & Michael Staniforth, UK

Sebastian Vettel: There are a lot. I don't know how many, but I must have more than 100 helmets. Together with Jens Munser [his designer], we just have fun. In Japan last year I had a design that was a little bit different. In Germany and Singapore we often do something special, too.

Jens comes up with a lot of the ideas and then I choose from them. Sometimes it's very quick and we're both happy; other times there's a bit of an argument - and then we find an agreement. It's a nice thing to do, because it's a personal thing. But my favourite one... I couldn't tell you. I don't remember them all.

Karaoke time: what song will you perform?
Philip Holtrust, Canada

SV: 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles. And it goes on and on and on and on... [laughs]

What's the best bit of advice you've ever received?
John Wall, Ireland

SV: That's a difficult one - not that I've had a lot of advice.

F1 Racing: Could it be something that your dad said? Or someone else in the sport? The mayor of Heppenheim? An old school teacher, perhaps?

SV: School teachers didn't really give me much advice, instead they would give me a hard time. I don't know... there are a lot of good things I can think about that people have told me, which were very powerful at the time. I'm sure there was a lot my parents said and a lot I should still remember now.

But sticking with racing, Rocky [Guillaume Rocquelin], my former Red Bull engineer, decided to write 'Monza' on my balaclava just ahead of the race in Abu Dhabi in 2010 [where Vettel won his first world championship]. In the races leading up to that he had asked me what racing meant to me in one word, so I told him 'Monza' and the reasons why [Seb took his first grand prix victory at Monza in 2008]. And that was quite powerful - it broke it down to the essence of what I was doing.

We had quite a lot of long strategy meetings that day, discussing various possibilities and scenarios, and everybody was super nervous with having both drivers in the team fighting for the championship for the first time. I was on the grid when I saw the balaclava with 'Monza' written on it, and that relaxed me and reminded me of the reasons I was there.

I heard something similar from one of my trainers; he was trying to break it down in difficult times and remind me of why I was here and why I had started racing in the first place. It's because I love driving and he told me to enjoying my driving and not to worry about anything else.

Why do you sometimes sing over the radio at the end of qualifying and races?
Elton Lam, UK

SV: I guess it's joy. Some people dance, I can't do that, I'm strapped in - but I could try! 
I share my joy by opening up over the radio.

F1R: We used to hear the crazy frog...

SV: Years ago. Well, it's not that hip now - I'm not down with the kids any more. I'm more into old songs anyway.

F1R: 'Hey Jude' next time?

SV: Yeah.

The German press called you 'Baby Schumi' when you started in F1. How did you feel about the nickname then, and is it something you fondly look back on now?
Paulo Ocampo, The Philippines

SV: Now I can laugh about it, but back then, I don't know. I thought my chin wasn't as big as Michael's - so I don't think it was very fitting. I didn't like it because Michael was not just a German guy in Formula 1, but he was the best guy in Formula 1. So I don't think it was fair, because I hadn't achieved anything, so how could you... just because I come from the same country. But I got the story and fine, if that's what people call me. I was once called the 'fastest braces' in Germany, but I think Baby Schumi is better than that - it was an upgrade. Now I don't have any nicknames any more.

F1R: But Michael has been a huge inspiration for you?

SV: Yes, it's a real shame that I can't just pick up the phone and talk to him. Initially he was my hero and someone I looked up to, and then later I got to know the person. Now when I look back, it's Michael the person I remember - not so much the racing driver. But I am still full of admiration for the racing driver. I talk to the guys here at Ferrari who were also here in Michael's time and they speak very highly of him. This proves that he left behind something special.

What is more fun: a flat-out, on-the-limit qualifying lap, or a wheel-to-wheel battle fighting for the lead?
Phil Taylor, UK

SV: A wheel-to-wheel battle fighting for the lead. When you are driving a qualifying lap you are racing yourself because the car is at its peak, with new tyres and low fuel. Whereas in the race the car is not at its best.

But if you are fighting for the lead in a race, for example the battle I had with Valtteri Bottas at Silverstone last year where I had to make a move for the lead and then somehow make it stick - that can be very satisfying. In qualifying it's more about focus, whereas in a wheel-to-wheel battle you have much more adrenaline and excitement.

F1R: And you need to have your wits about you...

SV: Yes, obviously, you don't have ages to prepare, there are usually not too many shots to make a pass. Some things you line up, others are spontaneous and when they work, it feels really good.

How easy is it to shrug off a big mistake, and how exactly do you do that? For instance last year's German GP?
Chris McAlees, UK

SV: Well, to be frank, last year's German Grand Prix wasn't a huge mistake. It was a huge consequence, but the mistake itself was really small. And that was the annoying thing about it.

It wasn't like I'd tried something that nobody else has ever done before, but there I have to be honest because it was one of the biggest consequences of a mistake that I have experienced in my career. But it wasn't by far the biggest mistake I have made - it was a tiny one; a misjudgement. And it was also the wrong corner to pick because with all the others, I would just have carried on into the run-off areas. But it happened.

The man in mirror asks what went wrong, how badly? Why did it go wrong, was I not focused? No, I was focused. Was I too focused? No. Then you do a yes/no list in your head, apply logic and it helps you to overcome it.

F1R: Did you find the answer via that logical process?

SV: Yes, in the end there was a mistake, otherwise I wouldn't have gone off. I'm not denying it, but as I said it wasn't a huge mistake, so you can't give yourself a massively hard time for a small thing. But the consequence was there and I had to live with that. Usually I find it quite easy to turn the page, once you have understood the problem. If there is more to understand then you have to dig a little bit deeper.

What is your favourite thing to do to switch off from racing and Formula 1?
Emma Jones, UK

SV: Family. I find it easy to switch off as I enjoy normal things, I'm pretty relaxed when I'm at home. I enjoy time with the family mostly, then with friends. Have a drink, simple, nothing fancy.

F1R: Do you find it easy to compartmentalise your life?

SV: It depends. First of all the job that I do is the job that I love. Obviously I tend to talk about the job when I'm not at work. And then it depends, whether it is good or bad times, difficult times, easy times. Sometimes there is more to talk about, other times less. Overall I think it's important to switch off and I try to do that at home.

How did you get into collecting Beatles memorabilia?
Greg Kanaga, USA

SV: Okay, now you can download everything on the internet, but when I started collecting stuff there was not actually that much to download, so I had to go and physically buy the compact disc. Then I spoke to my parents and they told me about vinyl.

As I didn't grow up with it, I wondered: what's vinyl? Now I find it has a calming influence, because you need to take your time, to switch the record on. It's a slow process compared with now, so it's something that you enjoy more - that whole process, sitting down, putting nice music on, and not getting distracted with your phone again.

F1R: Did you see James Corden took Paul McCartney back to Liverpool?

SV: Yes! The Carpool Karaoke guy. It was great!

You're known for your British sense of humour, so what is currently your favourite joke?
Iain Eckersall, UK

SV: British humour is not so much about telling jokes, it's much more about being there, being sharp...

F1R: Witty and observational?

SV: Exactly. So, I don't know my favourite joke. I have long ones, but I need to translate them and I don't think they'll work. But I really like British humour.

Is there a reason you are reluctant to use social media such as Instagram or Twitter, unlike other drivers?
Charlotte Webster, UK

SV: Yes. I don't like it. Why I don't like it is that I don't like talking about myself, and I think it's 
a waste of time, to be honest.

F1R: Do you look at what other people are up to?

SV: No. I can see that there are some really nice things about people, but I think the principle behind it is wrong and that's what I struggle with. Social media is made to make money...

Which driver in the history of Ferrari is your favourite?
Sarah Bolton, UK

SV: Seriously?

F1R: Other than Michael. 
Nigel Mansell?

SV: Yeah, I like Nigel. There's something about him. Even though statistically in numbers he's not right up there as the most successful...

F1R: We won't ask you to do your impression of him...