F1 legends Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda say Sebastian Vettel could surpass Michael Schumacher



Sebastian Vettel is on course to become one of the greatest champions in Formula One history - and has the potential to secure more glory than Michael Schumacher, according to two of the greatest drivers of all time.

Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda - both triple world champions - believe the 24-year-old German can go on and emulate his compatriot's achievements providing Red Bull can maintain their levels of car design.

And if he does, it will cement an era of German supremacy in Formula One.

Stewart - champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973 - said: "He is unquestionably the most mature 24-year-old racing driver I have seen. He has made slight errors, such as losing in Canada to Jenson Button, who was supreme that day, but his second world title is an incredible achievement for one so young."

Will Vettel surpass Michael Schumacher in the future? Have your say.

"Vettel's greatest strength lies in his mind management. God gives you your natural talent, but it is what you do with that talent. So many people have let it slip away or abused it. Vettel hasn't."

Lauda - who took the title in 1975, 1977 and 1984 - said: "If you choose the wrong car, or the car you are driving doesn't work, then you can't win because it's always the combination of the two.

"But, theoretically, he can certainly win more than Schumacher if he sits at the right time in the right car because he himself is certainly capable of it.

"It is the best performance so far in Formula One - at his age to win two. To win the first one is always the most difficult because all of your career, starting from go-karts all the way up, is years and years of work for this particular day. The second one is easier in a way because there is less pressure."

Vettel became the youngest back-to-back double champion in F1 history on Sunday when he finished third in the Japanese Grand Prix behind triumphant Briton Jenson Button of McLaren and Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.

Button, the 2009 champion, also heaped praise on Vettel for his near-faultless driving this year as also did Alonso, the last back-to-back title-winner with Renault in 2005 and 2006.

Both vowed to improve next year and carry the fight back to the dominant German and his Red Bull team, but Vettel's team chief Christian Horner warned: "I think he is going to improve again next year.

"It will be hard for him to better what he has achieved so far this year, but knowing Sebastian he is never satisfied and he will always be looking to improve. And that is what makes him such a strong driver."

Vettel grew up idolising Schumacher and was still in kindergarten when the former 'red baron' started his career. Schumacher, the sport's most successful driver, went on to record 91 wins and take seven championships.

Before Schumacher made his debut in 1991, Germany had never had a driver who had won a race in Formula One, but in the 20 years since then they have dominated the sport.

German drivers have now won nine of the past 18 championships and it is difficult to imagine the previous age in which men from Brazil, France and Austria were dominant.

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Where have I heard this before . . . ???

 

And then they will just try and belittle Sebs achievements as they have done to Michael.

 

in my thread? lol

 

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if he won 7 or more championships as long as he makes good decisions about what teams/s to drive for.

Hurry up and get banned vtgts300kw

 

Nice pick up by a commenter on the original page saying they did have a GP winner before Schmui with Wolfgang Alexander Albert Eduard Maximilian Reichsgraf Berghe von Trips.

Damn that's a long ass name!

 

Was always shortened to Wofgang Von Trips.