Current Sebastian Vettel

Lots of threads have alluded to having a discussion about the current world champion so lets get it all off our collective chests (oooeer!)

Lots has been has been written about this young man from his testing debut with BMW Sauber in 2006 aged just 19 - he then progressed to the the toro rosso team for his first full race season in 2008 - the memorable race being his drive in the wet at Fuji where he managed to rear end his future team mate Mark Webber who said ""It's kids isn't it... kids with not enough experience – they do a good job and then they **** it all up." - Little was Mark to know he would be paired with the "Kid" just 2 years later.

His maiden win came at the 2008 Italian GP where he qualified up from, the race started under the safety car in the rain and the young German led from start to finish in the Toro Rosso - becoming the youngest winner of a grand prix ever.

Then we enter the era of the Red Bull. In 2009 he joined the Red Bull team, which got off to a torrid start as he managed to crash into Kubika in Australia, a feat he would go on to repeat during the 09 season.

Last year needs no mention........

So to the crux of the matter. Is Sebastian Vettel?

the real deal, the baby schumi, the new pretender - a genuine racer? - aka Wunderkind

or

A very quick driver, who lucked into a very fast car and can bang it on pole and lead from lights to flag and be the quickest pilot of a car, yet can't overtake for toffee? aka WunOrAother

 

[RasputinLives]

Very true! I doubt he'd have been coming back through the field though. More likely eating his meals through a straw.

 

[Il_leone]

Ridiculous to vote Vettel driver of the day when he ruined Bottas' race . It says more about how dominant the top 3 are to the rest ...why did not Magnussen get driver of the day then in a Haas to finish 6th?

You can look at it the other way which some journalists are highlighting that Vettel seems to have a rush of blood to the head and making costly errors at critical moments. Someone said it was his 6th in a year.

He should be leading the championship still apart from China where he got hit by Verstappen, he's had the best race car on most weekends . It is these little things that could cost him.

 

[RasputinLives]

I've read a load of those hot headed articles today too. If locking a wheel under braking is hot headed then all F1 drivers are volcanos! It's not like he weaved all over the place or went for a gap that wasn't there. He locked a wheel and because he was surrounded by cars he went into someone. If he'd done it on lap 2 no one would remember it.

He made and error, held his hands up too it and went about getting back up the order. Not really sure how that can be considered hot headed

 

[Il_leone]

well apart from Baku, the other times you could probably say an error of judgement in making the wrong choice and ending up in worse situation

 

[RasputinLives]

But that's different to being 'hot headed'. None of those errors came from anger or stupidity. They came from trying to do something and not succeeding.

He could drive like Kimi and never gain a position on the first lap. He could drive like Bottas and not try the overtake for the win. He could drive like Verstappen and make do or die moves that end in crashes constantly. But he doesn't he analysis a situation and tries. Sometimes trying means you look silly. It is what makes the likes of Vettel, Hamilton etc a cut above other drivers though.

 

[Angel]

I agree, the contact on lap one wasn't deliberate or hot headed, it was just a fact of racing. He had a moment and he had no way of avoiding hitting someone. Sure he ruined Bottas' race, but then others have hit Vettel and ruined his at times, it happens, it's not nice, but it's part of the sport.

I was more thinking F1 was in a poor state when people are so starved of good action they vote for a recovery drive as the best action of the race.

 

[cider_and_toast]

I must admit, it seems like far too many drivers (and team managers, Lauda) are looking to stick the boot in on Vettel after Sunday. I agree with Ras, it was a racing incident, a bit clumsy for sure but in no way dangerous. Verstappen may have an axe to grind after the kicking he's been getting among drivers but everyone else seems to be jumping on the bad wagon.

It's all a little over the top.

 

[FB]

Just a thought, Vettel was well past Bottas as they approached the first corner so (in theory) had track position, Shouldn't Valterri have backed off having lost the place?

 

[gethinceri]

No, I don't think so as it was a left into right chicane so Bottas had the right to stay on the outside ready for the racing line.

 

[Il_leone]

Raikkonen has not gained a place from the start since 2016 . He only finished on the podium because 3 of his fastest rivals all had problems .

If the reaction was over the top , think if the reverse had been Hamilton or Verstappen. In the scheme of the bigger picture , Vettel would have lost the lead of the championship but it is bigger than he should have. There are fine margins between winning and losing the title between Hamilton and Vettel.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Raikkonen took 3rd place by overtaking a driver who is rated one of the best. The team told him to go for it and he did.

 

[RasputinLives]

So he doesn't try unless the team tells him to try?

 

[vintly]

No he’s just average

 

[RasputinLives]

Vettel says that whinging F1 drivers - including himself - are responsible for stupid harsh penalties.

"Whinging" F1 drivers responsible for harsh penalties - Vettel

Charlie Whiting says he has a message for Sebastian. "Eff you!"

 

[Bill Boddy]

What "harsh penalties"?

 

[F1Brits_90]

Sebastian vettel taking part in strictly come dancing ive heard

 

[Olivier]

She looks familiar

 

[Izumi]

'Sebastian thought: F*ck you' - Why Vettel ignored 'multi 21' order

It was always clear to some of us that the incident had context, which some media didn't really wanted to discuss.

 

[Angel]

I just read about that Multi 21 event. That is one of onyl five races I didn't see since I started to watch F1 in 1995. Typical isn't it?

Having read it from Christian's perspective I can understand why Seb did what he did. In his mind he had every right to. I'm not saying he did, but in his mind he did.

I couldn't get the link in Izumi's post to work. In case that is the same for others, here is where I read all about it.

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/903434/1/multi-21-was-vettel-s-payback-webbers-tactics-horner

 

[Chasz]

I just read about that Multi 21 event. That is one of onyl five races I didn't see since I started to watch F1 in 1995. Typical isn't it?

Having read it from Christian's perspective I can understand why Seb did what he did. In his mind he had every right to. I'm not saying he did, but in his mind he did.

I couldn't get the link in Izumi's post to work. In case that is the same for others, here is where I read all about it.

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/903434/1/multi-21-was-vettel-s-payback-webbers-tactics-horner

The only way I can understand what Vettel did based on that article is if he is a petulant child. He got the WDC in 2012 anyway and the so called squeeze in Brazil wasn't that bad!

I would hope that it was borne out of his must win attitude rather than revenge!