Stewart: Vettel 'past his peak' in F1
Sebastian Vettel may be past his prime in formula one.
That is the sensational claim of F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart, after the Ferrari driver lost the 2018 title to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
"I think Sebastian is past his peak and Lewis is still building to his," the triple world champion told Bild newspaper.
"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," Stewart added.
At 31, Vettel is actually two years younger than Hamilton, but Stewart thinks the problem could be that the German won his four titles too soon.
"Perhaps. He came into formula one at 20 and was a four time champion by 26," said the Scot.
But the biggest reason is that Vettel has simply made mistakes in 2018, Stewart added.
"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," he said.
"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."
In contrast is Hamilton, who Stewart says can now be "even more relaxed" in 2019 with five titles in the bank.
And now in his sights could be Michael Schumacher's seven titles and 91 wins.
"Yes he can, and for many reasons," Stewart said of Hamilton's last remaining goals.
"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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Ok, that Vettel is a good driver everyone knows, but people keep forgeting that, his 4 times title win were in a roll, when he had the best car, PU, and with the same driver in the 2nd car for the consecutive seasons, 2010 through 2013, Mark Webber. Not that Webber was not that good, but would be somehow as today, Ricciardo and Max. Vettel also has much more complications for 2019: new driver in the 2nd car (LeClerc replaicing Kimi - will it means that Vettel would be the one responsible for the development of the car? Will LeClerc be for Vettel at Ferrari what Max was for Ricciardo at Red Bull?); if Honda gets what is been expected with its PU, and Newey makes another good car (remember, rule changes for 2019), how closer will be Max from Vettel; It will be a new season, a blank page, and however not expecting too much of Gasly (Red Bull) or Leclerc (Ferrari) yet, how many points can be lost with them added to Hamilton, Bottas, and Max?
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