Racing legend Stirling Moss has leapt to the defence of Sebastian Vettel, calling the booing of the three-time champ at recent races "disgraceful".

Moss - or God as Dr Mike Lawrence refers to him - will forever be known as the greatest world champion we never had having finished runner-up four times. More than this however, he comes from an era when drivers raced anything and everything almost every weekend, the drivers he raced against being some of the most legendary to have graced the sport.

Unlike those former racers who appear almost on daily basis to share their thoughts, Moss prefers to keep his opinions to himself, though if he is asked will tell you, even if it’s not the answer you want to hear.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, when asked about the recent spate of booing of Vettel, Moss was in no doubt.

"It's disgraceful," he replied. "Why do they do it? Because he keeps winning? He can't help that. He is a nice bloke. Sebastian Vettel is a jolly nice bloke.

"For a man to be that much ahead every time, every race, whatever the circuit, whatever the conditions, Vettel is just in a class of his own," he continues. "As was Fangio. As was Senna."

And for those that suggest the booing is more about what happened in Malaysia when the German ignored team orders (Multi 21) and overtook his teammate Mark Webber, Moss has no truck.

"Well, he's a racer what's wrong with that?" he said. "You're either a racer or you're a driver and there's a big bloody difference. Drivers are easy to find and racers aren't. We had team orders in my day, of course we did. If the wheel came off the No 1's car they would call in the other car. That was accepted and understood. It isn't done today because the races are so short. It was a three-hour minimum back then."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by F1tec, 03/10/2013 12:12

"It is all envie , that is why Ferrari and their groupies hate Vettel.
Vettel/RBR are winners and Ferrari/Alonso are losers. "

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2. Posted by xoanon, 03/10/2013 11:31

"Vettel is a racing driver, not just a driver of race cars ... And some of his rivals and their fan boy supporters don't like this."

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3. Posted by thespacerace, 03/10/2013 9:46

"I agree 100% with Sir Stirling, and add the following thought. I recall in 2000-2004 people turned the TV when Michael Schumacher was a regular winner, and I suppose we're in a similar era now with an extremely dominant driver/car combination. Instead of booing and turning off, I suggest you absolutely enjoy every moment of this great driver/car's performance. Quality like this does not come along often, so cherish it while you can.

My football team is Derby County, since going to see them aged 7 in 1972 with my dad. There would be no issues at all in Derby if they won most weeks. Unfortunately..."

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Moss defends Vettel

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