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Three-time world champion Jackie Stewart has said he believes Sebastian Vettel could be past his prime in Formula 1, after finishing runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in this year's drivers championship.
These comments come after Vettel has made a number of mistakes this season, and can arguably be to blame for his loss of the title. He made critical errors in France, Italy and his home race in Germany where he gifted Hamilton the lead in both the race and the championship.
This is in comparison to Hamilton, who Stewart says can be "even more relaxed" next season after winning his fifth title: "I think Sebastian is past his peak, and Lewis is still building to his."
"There's no reason Sebastian can't come back, but it will be very difficult because after a season like that you are more critical of yourself and what you want to do and what you don't want to do."
"It's not possible to keep blaming everyone else. If you fight for a world championship and you see that a move you make could be a problem for you, you don't necessary try it. You wait for the right moment. I like Sebastian very much, and he is a very good driver. Very emotional, and technically maybe still the best, but he does not have that clear mind like he used to."
Asked whether Hamilton could go on to surpass Schumacher's 7 titles and 91 wins, he said: "Yes he can, and for many reasons. There are more races these days, the management is better, the factories are better, the teams are bigger and there's more money to succeed than ever before."
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Replies (8)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
Speaking of being past his prime . . .when is Jackie going away?
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
Show some respect, JYS is a legend.
xoya
Posts: 583
Stewart is not driving, so he has gone away. Don't know what you're on about.
Vettel might not be past his prime, but he certainly drives like he has been just that.
Primes are a weird thing. Maybe Vettel's development curve has two peak primes? He is just in a slump now and that cannot be denied.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
It’s mostly down to the car. If SV was in Bottas’ shoes or in a car of consist equal performance Hammy would have more than a tough fight and we would have seen a season full of tantrums from LH, just like with Rosberg. LH couldn’t take it and now has the comfort zone of team orders.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
Agreed. 5x champ yeah well it's easy when you're driving for the most dominating F1 team in the history of the sport and your teammate lets you passed ..sometime twice in a race. lol
dr002
Posts: 141
@Roger, I'd have to totally disagree, in such a scenario Hamilton's temper tantrums may well have resurfaced, but the facts remain that:
1. Vettel drives with a sense of entitlement, and is mentally fragile and prone to emotional on track errors and outbursts brought on by frustration when things don't go the way 'he' thinks they should;
2. that Hamilton uses mind games to great effect, with there being no doubt that he got in Vettel's head this year with little well placed targeted comments/suggestions/observations throughout the season whilst all the while remaining amiable whenever in Vettel's presence; and
3. that Vettel needs to be the No.1 driver in the team in order to challenge for a Champion.
Give any of the top 5 drivers a competitive car and top billing within the team, and I'd bet my house on it that they'd all outperform Vettel, and (as much as he irritates me and it pains me to say) that Hamilton would still be at or near the top.
Major Tom
Posts: 152
Vettel past his prime? No kidding! Long past in my opinion. I predict Leclerec will make him look very average next season (just like Ricardo did in their season together).
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I disagree. He isnt, he has shown this year that he isnt, but he need to shit or get off the potty.