Who did it the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time? An often recurring question inside and outside the circus. One of those epochal questions that perhaps will never be answered. From Fangio to Hamilton passing through Lauda, Seine, Prost And Schumacher just to mention a few names of those eligible for the title of GOAT. Sebastian Vettel tried to give an answer to this question from the height of his 4 World titles.
Which obviously however restricted the field of action to contemporary F1, the one which the German ex-F1 driver had the opportunity to experience and share Ferrari. And obviously Vettel had to do a slalom between Michael Schumacher And Lewis Hamilton without leaving out a “heavy” name like Fernando Alonso.
F1, from Schumacher to Leclerc: Vettel has an opinion for everyone
Sebastian Vettelwho made his Formula 1 debut in 2007, later winning 4 world titles with Red Bull before moving to Ferrari, unfortunately without winning the championship again, has grown to become a veteran figure on the grid alongside Hamilton And Alonso, a trio who are all multiple world champions. He also got to share the Formula 1 track with his childhood hero Michael Schumacherwho returned for a three-season stint with the Mercedes between 2010 and 2012.
By participating in a series of quick questions for talkSPORTVettel first revealed a word that came to mind for various drivers from the past and present: Hamilton received the title “GOAT” (greatest of all time), while Vettel gave the nickname “hero” to Schumacher,”hungry” For Alonso And “skilled” for the three-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen, which is chasing its fourth straight. title in F1 2024, in Red Bull just like Vettel back in the day.
As for the former teammates of Ferrari Charles Leclerc And Kimi Raikkonenwho took turns at his side in Maranello, Seb used the word “talent” for the Monegasque fresh from the victory in Monaco, while for Icema he used the term “badminton” to indicate a sort of “they fly” with many skills.
F1, Vettel chooses the GOAT between Hamilton and Schumacher
Once the section of adjectives to be given to each driver was finished, Vettel was free to specify, going into more detail especially when asked to name the best driver he raced against and why. “I would say Michael and Lewis – replied Vettel – Because the numbers speak for themselves. But Schumi was my hero as a boy and Hamilton is definitely the best in terms of statistics.”
F1, Vettel on Alonso: “Toughest driver I’ve faced”
But beyond the numbers in the face of the 7 World Championships won by both Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, when it came to revealing his “toughest rival”, Vettel indicated Fernando Alonso, against whom Seb played for the titles 2010 and 2012 when the Spaniard was driving for Ferrari and where he lost the title by four and three points respectively at the last race, the sensational defeat in Abu Dhabi in 2010.
“I have had exciting championships with Fernando throughout my career and in general he is the type of driver who is always there, very competitive. Oh yes, I think he was the most difficult rival I faced.”
F1, Ferrari: Vettel praises Max then forgets Vettel: “Russell future champion”
As for the driver who “surprised” Vettel the most in the recent past and present, it was Verstappen, due to the skills he had when he debuted in F1 at 17, before becoming the dominant force in the sport. “It’s hard to remember them all, but I think Max,” Vettel said, “just the pure ability when he was at his best and how he was able to refine that and drive at the level he is today.”
However, when asked which driver will be the next world champion, Vettel “disproved” his past as a Ferrari driver and he did not indicate Leclerc but “George Russell”. Who knows how Charles will take it.
