Just saw the following article, can anyone paste the article in full since it requires subscription Deconstructing Sebastian Vettel How does Sebastian Vettel fare against Formula 1's greatest stars from the past? It may be too early to know, but Edd Straw explains why the German is the greatest 23-year-old that the sport has ever seen Deconstructing Sebastian Vettel Sebastian Vettel's 2011 season has been truly astonishing, with his five wins from seven races adding up to a monstrous 60-point championship lead over Jenson Button. That's a whopping 83 points more than the German had at the same point last year. And had the Chinese and Canadian Grands Prix been respectively four and one lap shorter, he would have a 100 per cent record and a share in Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascari's record for consecutive world championship race wins. He's already a world champion and has one outstretched fingertip in contact with a second drivers' crown. To that must be added the caveat that with 11 races to go a hell of a lot can, and will, happen but it has still been an impressive campaign. http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/3609/deconstructing-sebastian-vettel/
I'm not keen on these pointless discussions of 'greatest', particularly when they are incited by professional journalists. I'm quite sure they come up with these polarizing articles deliberately to stir up heated debate. I think they're unnecessary and also energy sapping for those who get involved. However, since I've now contributed to the thread which discusses Autosport's article, I may as well say "yes", in my opinion, Vettel is up there with the best of German drivers.
I wouldnt say Vettel is the greatest (or in with the greats yet) but he is certainly the number 1 man to beat at the moment.
Aside from the Torro Roos win, he has hardly won an 'epic' race. He is a lights to flag winner. To be a great he needs to show he can battle through the field too. To date, I havent; seen much evidence of that.
until someone builds a car capable of beating the Redbull everyone will always say "it's the car", despite him doing very well in a Toro Rosso. Can't say whether he's the best ever, but his approach to racing is fantastic for such a young driver, I think we were all surprised at his tiny mistake at Canada, and when you consider he's only 23 his maturity is amazing, didn't get drawn into Webbers media war, instead he focused on the mistakes he made and improved tremendously. Of couse, having the best car helps, but you still have to get that car home, and he does. He COULD be the greatest ever, but whether he will be, that's another matter, I think the same applies to Hamilton
He's not been around long enough to assign a 'greatest' tag to him, saying that he is getting the job done, and even though he made a critical mistake in the last race, P2 wasn't a bad result.
He's done around about the same as Lewis regarding going through the field: (((((Outside the top ten)))))) Sebastian Vettel: China 07: 17th-4th Monaco 08: 19th-5th Canada 08: 19th-8th Belgium 08: 10th to 5th Brazil 09: 15th to 4th Lewis Hamilton: Malaysia 09: 12th-7th Brazil 09: 17th-3rd Australia 10: 11th-6th Malaysia 10: 20th-6th
Yep, but who here is saying Lewis is a great? Both have a long long long way to go yet to be considered one. They have they potential.
Maybe you should open your eyes then? Vettel drove the BMW-Sauber and Torro Rosso car very,very well. Vettel has beaten so many records as youngest F1 racer its almost unbelievable. Still some people are not able to show him the respect he clearly deserves.
Oh don't worry it isn't a pop or anything at you, just putting it out there that regarding vettel's "through the field skills" are pritty much as good as anybody considerd "top flight" in that area.
The only driver on the grid that can be considered 'great' is Schumacher because he has achieved 'great' things in F1 and his 'proper' career is over. Drivers like Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton (and Button if he wins another WDC) have the oppertunity to one day perhaps be regarded as great but not at the moment.
For me regarding greatness: 1xWDC You got your shot and grabbed it with both hands... 2xWDC Shows you're not 1 hit wonder and you can do it again... 3xWDC You must be something special to win this many... Other than that, it's all statistics.
Would you not class Gilles Villeneuve or Stirling Moss as great then? For me greatness requires some sort of intangible quality.
Well with Gilles, he obviously died in his prime while also likely heading for the WDC. Stirling Moss no doubt he's a great just like Gilles. I would also put Peter Collins, Wolfgang Von tripps, Ronnie Peterson and François Cevert in greatness with them.
