I've always liked Seb and that interview is the perfect example of why. He's very clever, very open to other cultures, friendly etc. A good sense of humour and even knows how to hint at the darker or naughtier things but in a way that he can get away with.
I've lost respect for him over the years, but I guess that same thing would make others like him. He's pretty ruthless and you can't trust anything he says when it comes to the actual racing. All drivers are like this but I guess this sort of thing fuels the haters. I don't hate him though. I just don't cheer for him as much these days. It's just the nature of the beast though. I don't think drives need to be like Jenson Button either. There is such a thing as being too nice. It's a very competitive environment.
I think a lot of the hate actually comes from jealousy. Whether it's because of the car he drives or simply his success. Envy, jealousy etc.
He's won a lot, so of course he's going to be cocky these days. Of course he will be happy. He is on top of the world, in terms of F1 as a whole. And it's not the car. If it were the car, he'd be winning races on the good days and crashing out or missing points on the bad days. Even on the bad days, he is still very good. And this isn't 2004. Having a good car these days is different, because F1 is like a spec series. Which means the distance between the top 8 is very small. Ever since 2009 it has been like this. It's like a spec series where you have only small margins in order to be better than the others, which means you have to drive perfectly each weekend. And Vettel does this as much as Alonso, Lewis or anyone else.
I don't think he's the most likable these days, as opposed to back in that interview. But he's winning races, and WDC's so he's doing something right. It's not a popularity contest.
Oh.. one other thing. He's spoiled by Redbull. He's entitled and spoiled like a child is. He is like how Lewis used to be back in his earlier McLaren days. But this side only comes out, when things aren't going his way. It pops up now and then.