Sebastian Vettel sparked some lively debates when he weighed in on who he thinks deserves the title of Formula 1’s greatest of all time.
Vettel, who kicked off his F1 career in 2007, has shared the grid with some legendary drivers. In a quickfire Q&A with talkSPORT, Vettel was asked to describe various drivers in one word. Lewis Hamilton got the ‘G.O.A.T’ [greatest of all time] tag, Michael Schumacher was labeled ‘hero’, Fernando Alonso was described with ‘hunger’, and reigning three-time World Champion Max Verstappen got ‘skill.’ Vettel had some fun with his former Ferrari teammates too, dubbing Charles Leclerc as ‘talent’ and Kimi Raikkonen as ‘badminton,’ showing the lighter side of the famously stoic Finn.
When asked to name the best driver he ever raced against, Vettel didn’t hesitate. ‘I would say Michael and Lewis,’ he said. ‘Why? Because numbers speak for themselves. But Michael was my hero and Lewis is the best in terms of statistics.’ With seven World Championships each, both Schumacher and Hamilton’s achievements are hard to argue against.
However, when it came to naming his toughest competitor, Vettel singled out Fernando Alonso. Vettel and Alonso have had some nail-biting battles, particularly in the 2010 and 2012 seasons where Vettel narrowly secured the championship over Alonso by just a few points. ‘Fernando,’ Vettel said, ‘I had close championships and close calls with him throughout my career and generally he’s the sort of driver that’s always there, very competitive. And yeah, I think he was the hardest competitor I faced.’
On the topic of surprises, Max Verstappen was Vettel’s pick for the driver who had most impressed him. ‘Hard to remember all of them, but I think Max,’ Vettel noted. ‘Just the sheer skill when he rocked up and how he was able to polish it and driving at the level that he is today.’ Verstappen debuted at just 17 and has since become a dominant force, capturing multiple championships and setting the stage for what looks to be a bright future.
Speaking of the future, Vettel has some thoughts on who might be the next big thing in F1, aside from Verstappen and Hamilton. His bet? George Russell. With Hamilton moving to Ferrari in 2025, Russell will be in a prime position to lead Mercedes and perhaps capture his first World Championship title.
In the end, Vettel’s reflections offer a fascinating glimpse into the competitive world of F1 and the drivers who have defined it. From his admiration for Michael Schumacher to his respect for Lewis Hamilton’s achievements, and his acknowledgment of Alonso as his fiercest rival, Vettel’s insights are a testament to his experienced perspective in the sport.
Source: Planetf1
