Vettel: Mach Ado About Nothing?

**Italian Spirit** · 20th August 2010, 16:15

I don't think that this "noise" about Vettel is justified. Sure, he has talent, but so do many others. And isn't he lacking something? Under the helmet, for instance?

Here is a little game I'm sure you will enjoy playing.

Given the Red Bull car of this year, who do you think:
(I give my opinion first. Names are in alphabetical order)

Would have done better then Vettel?

Alonso
Button (Not sure Jenson has more talent, but certainly has much more under the helmet)
Hamilton
Kubica
Massa
Rosberg
Sutil
Webber (he's proving it, isn't he?)

Would have done at least as good?

Barrichello
Buemi
Glock

Would have done at least as good but not as consitently?

Alguersuari
De la Rosa
Hulkenberg
Kobayashi
Kovalainen
Liuzzi
Petrov
Schumacher
Trulli

Don't even talk about!

Chandhok
Di Grassi
Di Resta
Fauzy
Senna
Yamamoto (Not yet, but...)

Of course, this it's only my opinion.

Look forward to read yours.

**theforce** · 20th August 2010, 16:31

man your bored

**justjesper** · 20th August 2010, 16:37

I must say that I think Vettel is a great driver and will be bigger in the next few years.

TheForce, you make me laugh

**Greig** · 20th August 2010, 16:50

Agreed Vettel is very much over rated

**Suzie** · 20th August 2010, 17:51

I do think he's very talented but he does seem to shoot himself in the foot a lot, not to mention he needs to stop acting like a spoilt brat when things don't go his way. I don't think anyone, least of all Seb himself expected Webber to be right up there with him in the title fight.

**NJB13** · 20th August 2010, 17:57

He can be fast but is young and needs to get rid of the mistakes. Some people have definitely over-rated him, in the same way, while they focused on him, Webber was a little under-rated.

**Anni** · 20th August 2010, 18:12

After Schumacher retired people wanted to see Vettel as a replacement, but they forgot how young Vettel was and still is. The expectations, especially here in Germany, are so high he could have never fulfilled them. He still needs to learn a lot. I think when he is a bit older and more expierienced he may be one of the best.

About his charakter: I used to be a Vettel hater. From the first lood I thought he was an arrogant, selfish idiot. We got to see a lot of Vettel-interviews here in Germany and when time went on an on I changed my mind about him. I am not a Vettel fan, but I don´t dislike him anymore.

**Rishu** · 20th August 2010, 18:31

Don't know about Vettel but Schumacher in that RBR is a mouth watering thought. Again its just IMO.

**goferrarigo** · 21st August 2010, 09:44

Vettel is so over rated at the moment in that illegal red bull. Although i think in a couple of years he could be incredibly quick.

**Tifosi** · 21st August 2010, 10:02

Well, he falls asleep in the car by his own admission (not good when you're trying to win a race). Mind you, if you believe that........

**Stormsearcher** · 21st August 2010, 13:18

In the same car (or a car with equal performance)...
1. Alonso
2. Hamilton
3. Kubica

These are the best drivers in F1 at the moment.
I doubt any of the rest can be as consistent and calculating as alonso or as ruthless and effective as hamilton.
Actually Alonso vs hamilton in equal cars and equal opportunity will be fantastic to watch. (its diff from their time at McLaren as clearly RD favoured lewis)

Schumi in this years redbull might have also been fun to watch.

**Ste** · 21st August 2010, 13:48

Originally Posted by Italian Spirit

I don't think that this "noise" about Vettel is justified. Sure, he has talent, but so do many others. And isn't he lacking something? Under the helmet, for instance?

Here is a little game I'm sure you will enjoy playing.

Given the Red Bull car of this year, who do you think:
(I give my opinion first. Names are in alphabetical order)

Would have done better then Vettel?

Alonso
Button (Not sure Jenson has more talent, but certainly has much more under the helmet)
Hamilton
Kubica
Massa
Rosberg
Sutil
Webber (he's proving it, isn't he?)

Would have done at least as good?

Barrichello
Buemi
Glock

Would have done at least as good but not as consitently?

Alguersuari
De la Rosa
Hulkenberg
Kobayashi
Kovalainen
Liuzzi
Petrov
Schumacher
Trulli

Don't even talk about!

Chandhok
Di Grassi
Di Resta
Fauzy
Senna
Yamamoto (Not yet, but...)

Of course, this it's only my opinion.

Look forward to read yours.

I think Vettel has a lot of talent. Especially when it comes to his final laps in Qualifying. His race pace is usually excellent as well and he's had standout drives even when he was with Toro Rosso. Remember his first win at Monza 2008? Incredible. I'm sure Alonso and Hamilton may have done better than he has, but as for anyone else, I doubt it. I think they are the top 3 drivers of the current field. Maybe Schumacher would actually show some of his old magic, that car is very pointy and we know that's what he likes. Who knows!

I absolutely disagree about who would have done equally as well. Rubens is past his best, not sure about Buemi - he does stick the Toro Rosso consistently in P10 or P11, Glock is good, but definitely no match for Vettel. With the next set of names, I think only Schumacher or Petrov could have matched Vettel. Kobayashi is quick, but not regularly.

Then, one thing I am 100% in disagreement with is the 'dont even talk about' Chandhok category. He has been fantastic. Not only a great bloke, but by the looks of it a really decent driver too. He's out-performed Senna most of the time. On my Blog, we've written an article about how the lower teams would have faired in terms of points if you took away the front runners. Turns out, Chandhok would be in second position behind Kovalainen (by 10 points) in a car that is significantly worse. Senna would have just over half of Chandhoks points - that includes the races Chandhok has missed. In terms of performance, he has been one of the standouts for me so far this season - shame his seat has been given away.

**gvsnraju85** · 21st August 2010, 14:39

Originally Posted by Ste

I think Vettel has a lot of talent. Especially when it comes to his final laps in Qualifying. His race pace is usually excellent as well and he's had standout drives even when he was with Toro Rosso. Remember his first win at Monza 2008? Incredible. I'm sure Alonso and Hamilton may have done better than he has, but as for anyone else, I doubt it. I think they are the top 3 drivers of the current field. Maybe Schumacher would actually show some of his old magic, that car is very pointy and we know that's what he likes. Who knows!

I absolutely disagree about who would have done equally as well. Rubens is past his best, not sure about Buemi - he does stick the Toro Rosso consistently in P10 or P11, Glock is good, but definitely no match for Vettel. With the next set of names, I think only Schumacher or Petrov could have matched Vettel. Kobayashi is quick, but not regularly.

Then, one thing I am 100% in disagreement with is the 'dont even talk about' Chandhok category. He has been fantastic. Not only a great bloke, but by the looks of it a really decent driver too. He's out-performed Senna most of the time. On my Blog, we've written an article about how the lower teams would have faired in terms of points if you took away the front runners. Turns out, Chandhok would be in second position behind Kovalainen (by 10 points) in a car that is significantly worse. Senna would have just over half of Chandhoks points - that includes the races Chandhok has missed. In terms of performance, he has been one of the standouts for me so far this season - shame his seat has been given away.

I Second you for every word you have written.....both about vettel and especially about Chandhok.......Imagine someone getting a super license just a couple of hours before the opening race of the season and yet performing so well ....real shame HRT took away his seat......and Vettel....well he is very young rt now and i believe he might come real close to being a schumi....i surelyu hope Ferrari sigh him up in a couple of years....Alonso and Vettel would be a great combo i guess and vettel will become more experienced by then (i definitely hope so)

**Liscia** · 21st August 2010, 15:24

A talented tho callow driver and a glib (over?) talker but I too detect a cranial vacuum to some degree
but maybe that's just the immaturity?

**racingbradley** · 21st August 2010, 15:40

I would really love to see Michael in this years RB. Everyone talks about Vettle being still very young and inexperienced but so was Michael when he joined Benetton!!!!!!! He wrung that car by the neck!!!!!!
I would also love to see Rosburg in this car.

**Italian Spirit** · 21st August 2010, 17:27

Originally Posted by Ste

I think Vettel has a lot of talent. Especially when it comes to his final laps in Qualifying. His race pace is usually excellent as well and he's had standout drives even when he was with Toro Rosso. Remember his first win at Monza 2008? Incredible. I'm sure Alonso and Hamilton may have done better than he has, but as for anyone else, I doubt it. I think they are the top 3 drivers of the current field. Maybe Schumacher would actually show some of his old magic, that car is very pointy and we know that's what he likes. Who knows!

I absolutely disagree about who would have done equally as well. Rubens is past his best, not sure about Buemi - he does stick the Toro Rosso consistently in P10 or P11, Glock is good, but definitely no match for Vettel. With the next set of names, I think only Schumacher or Petrov could have matched Vettel. Kobayashi is quick, but not regularly.

Then, one thing I am 100% in disagreement with is the 'dont even talk about' Chandhok category. He has been fantastic. Not only a great bloke, but by the looks of it a really decent driver too. He's out-performed Senna most of the time. On my Blog, we've written an article about how the lower teams would have faired in terms of points if you took away the front runners. Turns out, Chandhok would be in second position behind Kovalainen (by 10 points) in a car that is significantly worse. Senna would have just over half of Chandhoks points - that includes the races Chandhok has missed. In terms of performance, he has been one of the standouts for me so far this season - shame his seat has been given away.

Just to clarify: my "Don't even talk about" wasn't certainly meant to be despising, not for Chandhock (that I like and admire very much) of for any other driver on the list. I just meant that none of them, given their racing experience and yes, even the talent, could have done better or as good on the same car. I insist and sign: in the same car Alonso, Hamilton, Kubica, Rosberg, Sutil or Massa would be leading the WDC.

You really think that Vettel is more talented than this guys?

But of course it's just my opinion.

**sav_pap** · 21st August 2010, 17:32

vet is good when he's racing alone in the track

**Ste** · 21st August 2010, 18:15

Originally Posted by Italian Spirit

Just to clarify: my "Don't even talk about" wasn't certainly meant to be despising, not for Chandhock (that I like and admire very much) of for any other driver on the list. I just meant that none of them, given their racing experience and yes, even the talent, could have done better or as good on the same car. I insist and sign: in the same car Alonso, Hamilton, Kubica, Rosberg, Sutil or Massa would be leading the WDC.

You really think that Vettel is more talented than this guys?

But of course it's just my opinion.

I think Vettel is in the top 3 drivers with Alonso and Hamilton yes.

**Tifosi** · 21st August 2010, 22:51

Vettel will be excellent when he fully matures (just as Hamilton could be deadly if he ever matured - unlikely now I know!).

Imagine Vettel with Webber's maturity
(Imagine Hamilton with Button's maturity)

**justjesper** · 22nd August 2010, 00:31

Originally Posted by Tifosi

just as Hamilton could be deadly if he ever matured

Fantastic. I Couldn't agree more.

Re Vettel, the season is not over yet, and he has shown amazing talent and mistakes. I'm confident that he will do very well this season.

**gvsnraju85** · 22nd August 2010, 02:42

Originally Posted by Italian Spirit

Just to clarify: my "Don't even talk about" wasn't certainly meant to be despising, not for Chandhock (that I like and admire very much) of for any other driver on the list. I just meant that none of them, given their racing experience and yes, even the talent, could have done better or as good on the same car. I insist and sign: in the same car Alonso, Hamilton, Kubica, Rosberg, Sutil or Massa would be leading the WDC.

You really think that Vettel is more talented than this guys?

But of course it's just my opinion.

Not more but will definitely be on par in a coupl of years......As i said he is too young......remember how he drove the sub-par Torro Rosso....he definitely has it in him.......hejust has to get past his kiddish doldroms.....

**Suzie** · 22nd August 2010, 02:43

Talented or not, Vettel's freakish pointy finger is the most irritating thing this side of Nicole Sherzinger.

**F1ferrarifanUSA** · 22nd August 2010, 04:34

Originally Posted by Suzie

Talented or not, Vettel's freakish pointy finger is the most irritating thing this side of Nicole Sherzinger.

**F1ferrarifanUSA** · 22nd August 2010, 04:36

Its annoying to see how much he s disrespecting Webber on many occasions. I d love to see Webbo take more points than Seb at Spa! Then you can see that grumpy little ***** reaction.

**REDARMYSOJA** · 22nd August 2010, 04:39

Let me see, what was that line from the movie Bull Durham about the young pitcher, "A million dollar arm and a ten cent head". That pretty much applies to Vettel and Hamilton.

**epiclyaddicted** · 22nd August 2010, 09:06

I've said this before, and will say it again... if a Red Bull driver has to win the WDC this year, I really hope it's Webber.

**Agron** · 22nd August 2010, 09:54

The F1 press is desperate to create heros they can subsequently tear apart, as also-rans generate little interest. IMO Vettel seems ok as a person and a good driver, far from the negative image haters want to portray, but so far he hasn't proven to be a top driver, most of his legend is based on his victory in a toro rosso, but that race where he got pole, Bourdais qualifyied 4th, so it wasn't some superhuman achievement at all.

Still, he is young and once he wins a WDC -if he does!- he will wise up. Besides, if we compare his brainfades with Hamilton's in 2007, 2008 and this year (where he could have faced strong penalties in 6 or 7 races but strangely recieved none and now he is being hailed as super consistent for it XD), he almost looks wise.

**mandzipop** · 22nd August 2010, 16:36

I'm a bit of a Vettel fan, I must admit. He has done some very good damage limitation races this year. The spark plug issue and the big one. Spain. He should have retired due to the critical situation his brakes were in. It was said at the time that there are very few drivers that can manage that sort of problem. Alonso and Schumacher (in he first career) were the names mentioned.

At the beginning of 2009, my only reservation about him ever winning a WDC was whether he was ruthless enough (which is extremely important). He just didn't come accross as the type of ruthless person. How wrong was I? He is regarded as probably the most ruthless driver on the grid. That was a comment made by Andrew Benson.

As regards to being a bit mentally challenged. Sir Jackie Stewart put him up with the likes of Senna/Prost in that matter. In fact Ascanelli (Senna's old race engineer and also worked with Vettel at STR) alluded to similarities between Vettel and Senna in an article in F1 mag a while ago.

I believe the finger issue is to do with him having to have it stitched back on 7 weeks before he got his superlicence.

I also asked James Allen if Vettel had changed at all since he first met him. James kindly answered and said that he was exactly the same person as he was when he started in F1.