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 fuck 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

 

[EvilWhippet]

If we get to see more overtaking moves like the ones he pulled in the last race then long may the poor quali of Vettel continue!

 

[Bill Boddy]

Is he actually allowed to start on hard tyres?

 

[FB]

Don't think he completed a lap in Q3 so he can use whatever he wants.

 

[FB]

Vettel to Ferrari for 2014 with Webber as the "seat warmer" in 2013...

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/7780998/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Alonso and Vettel sounds like a pretty serious driver line up if it happens.

 

[Il_leone]

FB
No wonder Alonso keeps digging into Vettel and playing psychology saying Hamilton is the favourite for the title

Clearly FA knows that Vettel is a strong contender to be in the same team as him and does not really seem to give him credit

 

[Bill Boddy]

#FB I thought that this weekend's tyres were soft and super-soft.

 

[FB]

Now you're just be pedantic Mr Boddy Hard being a relative term in relation to the options available to him.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Now you're just being pedantic Mr Boddy Hard being a relative term in relation to the options available to him.

Now it's right. Or was it tongue in cheek?

 

[FB]

32 career poles for Seb, matching Nigel Mansell, although it's taken Vettel about 100 less races...

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Who's looked best on long runs in practice? Do Red Bull have tyre concerns for the race?

 

[Jos the Boss]

Mercedes looked decent and Vettel did complain about tyres a few laps in

 

[GermanF1]

After the Canadian GP, Seb Vettel had a PR drive on the new New Jersey track and later on was on David Letterman's show...Here it is

 

[Incubus]

Quite fun to see him interviewed in a sort of vibe different to a european-likeTV appearance.
Another clip on that link was quite amusing too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=XuRQcclYayk

 

[GermanF1]

Alonso's expression after his reaction is soooo funny

 

[racecub]

He has a pre contract for 2014 with Ferrari.http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18524133

Hughes(autosport writer) already had sources telling him this was the case. He suspects it's on Bernie's recommendation in case Renault and mercedes withdraw over engine regs....leaving Ferrari in a very strong position.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

I personally think that Alonso will make Vettel look fairly ordinary. He'd probably be better staying put.

 

[Viscount]

All we know for a fact is what Helmut Marko Said:

"2013 is fixed for us but, for 2014, there is a performance-related clause in his contract - for him and for the team," Marko told Germany's Bild, "It depends on the championship rankings in 2013 but, if Vettel and Red Bull slip in the drivers' or constructors' championship, he could go elsewhere."

So if Red Bull perform well in 2013 (judging by their past few years performance it's likely they will) Vettel will be contracted to stay with Red Bull voiding any pre-contracts he may or may not have.

 

[KekeTheKing]

It will be a great and glorious day if Seb ever partners up with Fernando or Lewis. It would be spectacular for the fans and I believe Vettel is the kind of guy that would like to measure up in equal equipment. There are still a ton of things to sort out in the next year and a half though.

 

[no-FIAt-please]

Another potential win taken from Vettel. If you add that to Brazil 2011, Bahrain 2010, Australia 2010 and Korea 2010 Vettel could have had 27 victories now. One thing's for sure, we don't need a thread to judge Vettel's luck...

 

[ExtremeNinja]

There are lots of drivers thoughout F1 history that may have had many more wins than they have were it not for circumstances beyond thier control. There are many drivers who might have more championships were it not for circumstances beyond thier control. I cannot gift drivers wins that they did not achieve, even if by the cruelty of fate. As Keke says in his signature. Motorsport fans are gluttons for punishment. This is often the case for the competitors, too.