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

 

[Slyboogy]

In 2006, it looked inevitable that Fernando Alonso would add to his two world titles by 2014. In 2008 it looked inevitable that Lewis Hamilton would be a multiple world champion by 2014. In 2008, it looked like Jenson Button was washed up, never to win that title he was aiming for.

Things happen. None of us have crystal balls.

I did put something similar like that the end off my post...

 

[Blog Zbod]

In 2006, it looked inevitable that Fernando Alonso would add to his two world titles by 2014. In 2008 it looked inevitable that Lewis Hamilton would be a multiple world champion by 2014. In 2008, it looked like Jenson Button was washed up, never to win that title he was aiming for.

Things happen. None of us have crystal balls.

I did put something similar like that the end off my post...

It won't last forever, but I do think it will endure 2014. My reasons why have more to do with Red Bull Racing than with Sebastian Vettel, so I made my reply in the RBR (teams) thread.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I like him I think he is a very nice young man....

 

[Blog Zbod]

Sebastian Vettel, aged 26, ended the 2013 with 120 F1 starts. M.Schumacher had his 120° start at age 30.

In 120 starts, Vettel has won four titles. M.Schumacher, in 120 starts, won two.
Vettel has had 39 race wins. M.Schumacher,", 33.
Vettel has had 62 podiums. M.Schumacher,", 66.
Vettel has taken 45 poles. M.Schumacher,", 20.
Vettel has scored 22 fastest laps. M.Schumacher,", 35.
Vettel's teammates have won nine races. M.Schumacher,", 3.
Vettel, a very nice young man. M.Schumacher, an anal sphincter.

 

[Kewee]

Blog Zbod ….. Once again I have to question your logic Blog Zbod. The stats you've quoted will only become meaningful and a fair comparison with Schumacher if he can continue his run of success. Schumacher had a four year drought between his first two titles and his remarkable run of five with Ferrari. Vettels run of four to date have come early in his career. There's every chance other drivers will interrupt his run of success before he matches, or if he matches Schumacher, which simply means any comparison will show Vettels run came at the beginning of his career, Schumachers at the end of his. You appear to be suggesting Vettel is superior. That's a conclusion that can only be made at the end of Vettels career, any comparison now is meaningless due to their successes happening at different times during their careers.

 

[Hamberg]

Best tell Autosport and Forix they've done a meaningless comparison then Kewee as I'm fairly sure that's where Blog Zbod got his data from.

I agree with you to an extent regarding where the success has occurred - at the moment - but it's the only comparison to date and given Schumacher's titles are his target to beat, what it does show is that Vettel's doing a pretty good job at getting towards it. Plus, taking the last line of Blog Zbod post, given Vettel's reputation in comparison, he'd be desirable for any team I would imagine so he'll never be without a top seat if the Red Bull bubble bursts.

 

[Kewee]

Hamberg ….. You must know I've been singing Vettels praises for some time now. I recognized months ago that Vettel had become very special but that doesn't alter the fact that a comparison between he and Schumacher is meaningless for the reasons I gave. Common sense should tell anyone, including Autosport, that comparing Vettel and Schumacher currently means your comparing Vettel's best seasons with four of Schumachers worst. You don't need to be a genius to figure that out and Autosport should realize that also. Sorry to repeat myself but all those comparisons that Blog Zbod has made, fastest laps, pole positions, podiums, wins etc, have been taken from Schumachers worst years and Vettels best, which makes the exercise irrelevant.

 

[downforce]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111693

The maiden F1 test in a V10 car Vettel reminisced about at the AUTOSPORT Awards came in a BMW-powered Williams in September 2005.

The then-18-year-old's running was delayed after Nico Rosberg - then Williams's test driver - had an engine failure in the car in the morning.

But Vettel still managed 25 laps, ending up 3.4 seconds off the pace of race driver Mark Webber.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Are the girls really necessary?

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/1...ally-crowned-2013-world-champions-at-fia-gala

 

[Hamberg]

Yes, the nakeder the better

 

[siffert_fan]

They also show just how short Todt is!

 

[Mephistopheles]

And he's wearing heels....

 

[Mephistopheles]

So when the ex champion hands it over to the new champion does that mean Seb has been giving it to himself for the last four years?

 

[Bill Boddy]

The mind boggles.

 

[Greenlantern101]

Sebs going to be a daddy.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/world-champion-vettel-to-become-father/

 

[F1Yorkshire]

So he's not gay?

 

[KekeTheKing]

You've got to appreciate the German media for not exploiting this guy over the years and for not zealously delving into his private life like any up and coming star would have been if they had come up in Britain or elsewhere. The fact that so little is known and discussed about a 4xWDC's personal life is quite amazing in today's day and age. There's no doubt that he's gone to great lengths to achieve this level of privacy, but there's a certain amount of space that's been afforded him by the Media that others in different markets have been unable to avoid.

And I do congratulate him on his upcoming arrival. His life will never be the same.

 

[teabagyokel]

"Yes, a baby. That's what I'm talking about!"

 

[Fenderman]

There's hope for us all! A baby! Now there's a distraction ... oh wait, Rogro's got one of them and ...

 

[RasputinLives]

But Mika Hakkenien completley tuned out. You never know how its going to work.