My memory might be playing tricks, but I seem to recall that even when he was at Red Bull there were quite a few moments when Vettel was prone to mistakes if he had to fight for positions in a race. He's blindingly fast if he qualifies on pole and someone has to catch him. If he actually has to battle on track then the problems start. For me he's a very good but not great driver who's reputation has been burnished by four years in those Newey Red Bulls and is currently doing little to justify the cash Ferrari are paying him.
I have been on a bit of an up and down with Vettel. At one point, since joining Ferrari i was growing to like him, at least as a person and then he went and did the stupid in Baku when accusing Lewis of brake testing him. In Canada he was childish yet at Silverstone he was man enough to accept his error (eventually). I think Top Class makes a valid point about how he responds to this difficulty in his career will define his legacy. Unfortunately I am not convinced he can fix this, although I hope he can. Newey summed Vettel up when saying he is very fast when leading from the front. He has the fastest car in a straight line now, but that is not necessarily a winning formula. I think the term 'racecraft' comes to mind, He was never pushed to demonstrate this at Redbull and I am not seeing evidence that he is the best at this, in fact the complete opposite. In equal machinery, Le Clerc is now showing he is faster than Vettel. If this is it, then Vettel's legacy won't be of a great driver but a fast driver who lucked in. I would like to see a Vettel comeback if only because this is not a good ending to his career, he does only have this season to sort himself out and next season to turn that into a full season of success. If he fails to achieve that, then as it is now will be his legacy.
"Racecraft" is a great way of putting it. You just get the impression that Vettel isn't particularly comfortable when dealing with other drivers, whereas others like Hamilton and Mad Max thrive on the battle. If Newey is saying it as well then that's just further confirmation. CLC is showing him up in much the same way as Ricciardo did. It's a shame for a four time World Champion to have his abilities questioned in this way, but it's down to him to prove us wrong.
no doubt, and now Max has pissed him off we could get a decade's worth of aggressive rivalry. me likey.
Leclerc, Verstappen and I'll chuck Norris into that mix too (see what I did there?). The future is tasty.