Sebastian Vettel, in the Red Bull ‘tent’, on Thursday. Picture by Prem Singh

Greater Noida: Sebastian Vettel, clearly, is a superstar with a difference. No airs about him (he gladly posed for The Telegraph at this Reporter’s request) and never to be found frowning.

Well, nice guys do win.

In his own way, Vettel is quite a private person and has steered clear of controversies, barring the one involving Red Bull teammate Mark Webber earlier this year.

Constantly striving for the “next level,” Vettel is possibly just days away from retaining the F1 drivers’ championship for the third time, thereby making it four in a row.

So far, only two drivers — Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher — have achieved the feat. Both have the status of a legend.

On Thursday evening, briefly, Vettel informally spoke to this newspaper at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). Earlier, he’d interacted with the media in general.

Excerpts...

Secret behind staying relaxed...

(Laughs) But today’s Thursday, when there’s nothing to do! You won’t find me relaxed when I’m in the car, Friday onwards. The weekend is a very different matter altogether.

If he’d dreamt of being on the threshold of a fourth championship on the trot...

Never.

Strong possibility of making it four in a row, at the BIC, on Sunday...

I’m not trying to focus (only) on that. The focus is on the race and the target is to get the maximum out of it... Winning the championship is important, not where it is achieved... But it’s nice to have the opportunity to seal it here.

Thoughts leading up to the weekend...

Winning (the championship) is the ultimate, as we work hard for it through the year... I haven’t come here thinking I can do this or that. Should I win, it would be good enough to secure the championship... It’s something very special, so it doesn’t make sense talking about it beforehand. That would take away the excitement.

His strengths and weaknesses...

You (in the media) have a lot of experts, so they can judge... I am stubborn, sometimes very stubborn... I don’t look back and don’t live in the past.

Expectations from the crowd (after the shocking booing in Singapore)...

I have no expectations. I don’t really think about the crowd’s reaction to my winning.

[After the Singapore GP, Vettel said it wasn’t “nice,” but the booing “spurs” him.]

If he’s driven by ‘A day without a smile is a day wasted! Good afternoon!’ message in the team’s ‘tent’...

Actually, a lot of people are driven by it... It holds true for many in India, for I find so many people smiling. People appear to be happy.

Being wary of chocolates...

Because I need to watch my weight and waist!

Finally, on staying grounded...

That’s the way I am, that’s the way I’ve been brought up.