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

 

[Titch]

I feel that Ferrari may move closer this year. Mercedes won't stay on top for ever. It's against the law of averages.

 

[RasputinLives]

At least Mercedes don't have a team principal issuing out team orders

Hmm. It has one telling it's drivers it can't do different strategies to the other in order to try and win races. It also has one that tells drivers they have to turn down engine modes if the other one does.

These are team orders right?

(Oh and Bahrain 2013)

 

[Il_leone]

I guess if Mercedes actually let drivers pick their strategies and more than likely Hamilton wins - Would people find that boring because he out drove his teammate using a better strategy

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just wait until Vettel becomes the pantomine villain again.

How long will it be before Ferrari start asking Kimi to move over and surrender a win? Or Vettel actually goes against team orders to steal a win ?

 

[RasputinLives]

Kimi would have to be on Vettel's pace for any of those to happen which doesn't look likely

 

[Il_leone]

Even if Kimi is would he surrender like Rubens even though he knows he will be out of a job next year anyway

 

[teabagyokel]

Raikkonen has scarcely looked susceptible to deal orders with his "race now, give a shit later" view on life.

Catching that maddeningly consistent machine in car 5 is another thing.

 

[no-FIAt-please]

Maybe the best driver on the grid, but definitely the funniest!

 

[FB]

Just in case you were worried he had forgotten, Seb has named this year's car Margherita. Last year's was Eva.

 

[Titch]

Is that after a person, or a large Mexican cocktail ?

 

[cider_and_toast]

Obviously some of Kimi's influence rubbing off then?

 

[FB]

He says it is Italian and not named after a pizza.

Vettel names his SF16-H 'Margherita' - PlanetF1

 

[The Pits]

Maybe named after this talented hottie?

 

[Il_leone]

Marghareita - is he already cheesed off /

 

[KekeTheKing]

It's not an official F1 Session in 2016 until Seb bitches and moans about something.

 

[FB]

According to Andrew Benson Ferrari have offered Vettel a 2 year contract extension which is being discussed. I'd post a link but it's in the text chat for FP2.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Sign first ask questions later.

 

[FB]

Sign first then wait for the two Mercedes drivers to go all Senna/Prost on one another.

 

[RasputinLives]

Sign first, wait for Ferrari to tempt Verstappen over with a load of cash and then move back to Red Bull.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Doesn't he also have to remove Ricciardo?

 

[RasputinLives]

True dat.