Vettel is a well-respected driver who stands out in the Formula 1 world. He’s definitely a contender. World champion? That’s another matter.
We’re fast approaching the final European race of the 2019 calendar. The season has turned out quite a few victories for the AMG Mercedes team and couple of wins for Red Bull. Charles Leclerc just won his first race for Ferrari.
But amid all the activity in 2019, one notable driver hasn’t won a race all year. He’s four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel in 2008 (photo, MotorsportArchive.com)
Vettel began his career in the early 2000s with the then-BMW/Sauber team. He gradually made his name known to Red Bull sponsors, which paved the way for him going to the junior Toro Rosso team. By 2008, his talent was more widely known when the German won his first and the team’s only victory at–of all places–Monza in Italy (site of this weekend’s race). That win got Vettel promoted to the senior Red Bull squad, which resulted in four consecutive world championships.
Vettel’s thought was to continue on a team just like his mentor Michael Schumacher had done, which was to finish up his career at one of the most popular racing teams in Ferrari. But the switch to the Scuderia came at a time when Formula 1 went from the successful non-turbo V8s to the newer hybrids with a turbo V-6. The result was more of an improvement for the team’s rival, Mercedes, and with very little to show for Ferrari.
Yes, Vettel has had many battles against the now five-time champion, Lewis Hamilton, but the German has failed in every attempt. A notable example last season in the wet German Grand Prix. While leading, Vettel slid off the track at the stadium section, which ended his chances of taking the world championship. Although Vettel triumphed later in Belgium, it was the last race that he has won.
Hamilton (left), Vettel, & Leclerc finish 1-2-3 in Montreal (Sunshine Coast Daily)
Since then, Vettel has tried to break his string of bad luck. The worst came in Canada this year when he was penalized against Hamilton. It came as a result of sliding off a part of the circuit and reemerging right in front of the Briton. Vettel was penalized five seconds, which dropped him to second and robbed him of winning.
Last week in Belgium showed Vettel pulling over to let Leclerc win. Vettel knew his chance for victory was done due to worn rubber. The good thing, though, is that it showed that Vettel can be a team player.
Can Vettel win again? The reality of stiff competition clouds the ‘yes’ answer–not only from Hamilton but also from Hamilton’s Mercedes partner, Valtteri Bottas, and from Leclerc, Vettel’s teammate.
So what might happen to Vettel by 2020? Will he stay at Ferrari? Another possible option–Mercedes–doesn’t seem feasible as long as Hamilton is there.
For sure, Vettel can still compete. He’s a well-respected driver who stands out in the Formula 1 world. He’s definitely a contender. World champion is another matter.
