Debate: Should Vettel Leave Ferrari?

Thang Nguyen · Jul 23, 2019

Is it too soon to debate? Vettel's already confirmed in Ferrari in 2020

TTM75 · Jul 23, 2019

Vettel, hmmmm... His best days on F1 is already gone. Leclerc is stronger and stronger. He is more hungry to win than Vettel.

NewOne0 · Jul 23, 2019

Well, Vettel had his time with Red Bull and I don't see him having a chance against Mercedes, at least until the big regulation changes arrive in 2021.

Luca Antinori · Jul 23, 2019

Vettel vs Hamilton driving both for Williams for free and will see who is really that good

AnklaX · Jul 23, 2019

In racing situations, he keeps putting himself in situations where he completely loses out badly, not just gets overtaken. He's clearly lost his edge. Sure he can drive fast still, sometimes but that's not enough. Time to retire Vettel. You've 4 titles to your name. You can retire happy, or at least, you should be able to.

Nick Hill · Jul 23, 2019

Luca Antinori said:
Vettel vs Hamilton driving both for Williams for free and will see who is really that good

^ Now THIS would be must see TV!

As far as Vettel goes, unless the Merc seat is up for grabs, he ought to stay put. Ferrari is an embarrassment and a train wreck, but I still see them as the team most likely to find a way to run with Merc. Seb is still a very good driver, he just needs a competitive car to find his mojo again.

manu68 · Jul 23, 2019

I voted retirement.
Well, 4 times world champion, millionnaire and many things to explore and enjoy in this world.

But honestly, is it possible to leave the scuderia if you dont really have to?

Liquid_Squid · Jul 23, 2019

I think Hamilton and Vettel should swap teams.

Why? Hamilton's last challenge should be to win a championship with Ferrari. Mercedes is to win with a German driver. It would be great for the spectacle of F1, especially if it coincides with the 2021 rule change.

LeSunTzu · Jul 23, 2019

Here is a scoop for you: Mercedes won with a German driver 3 years ago.

Bazooka_Joe · Jul 23, 2019

Liquid_Squid said:
I think Hamilton and Vettel should swap teams.

Why? Hamilton's last challenge should be to win a championship with Ferrari. Mercedes is to win with a German driver. It would be great for the spectacle of F1, especially if it coincides with the 2021 rule change.

Mercedes clearly wants to overtake Ferrari/Schumacher combo in terms of achievements to become the ones to beat in a long term run. Hamilton is already ahead in many stats, not far behind in overall wins. Mercedes are creating a true legend and rewriting history books. No way that HAM will say no to that

Dux · Jul 23, 2019

Recently I have read someone say a thing on why Fangio was worlds best. "He won 5 titles in 7 seasons" - his argument was. "others like Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton, Alonso and others" he continued "had only 2 in 7 years". It was funny I was just having conversation with people about the recent events that happen in F1 regarding Vettel.

I smiled and reminded myself Sebastian Vettel has 4 titles in 7 years. And it is not like he drove straight for McLaren, Ferrari or Mercedes level performing car like today it is.

Some retrospective:
- Vettel stepped in F1 car in 2005, by 2006 regularly outpacing R.Kubica and Nick Heidfeld in BMW Sauber in free practice sessions, who were much more experienced.
- In 2007 at debut he scored 8th position and won 1 point at Indianapolis.
- In 2008 he put Toro Roso in rain packed Italian GP in Monza, on pole, and won it from there without any but one light miss-braking-calculation in second chicane. To date it is still the only victory they ever achieved.
- In 2009 he joined senior team Red Bull and won for them in his only 3rd race while the same team was chasing first F1 victory with cars designed by Newey and driven by richly experienced Coulthard & Webber for the 4 previous years, the rest is history.

He came in Ferrari with a mission and I am not seeing anything else but him staying till the very end and trying to accomplish what he wished for when he came in first place. For one he can do it, and second i dont see anyone else more capable to do it with Ferrari than him. Because Hamilton today might be strong, but people forget that when things were messy, and many teams won a race, such as 2012 as much as 7 drivers winning in first 7 races, Hamilton was next to Maldonado. It's all relative. So no.

Ho3n3r · Jul 23, 2019

Jonny Austin said:
Vettel can rescue this season if he wins & makes no major mistakes but I think he will walk at the end of the season.Bring back Alonso

Why not Hakkinen as well while we're at it.

Fat-Alfie · Jul 23, 2019

Luca Antinori said:
Vettel vs Hamilton driving both for Williams for free and will see who is really that good

Didn't the Top Gear TV programme do essentially this, but in a reasonably-priced car? And didn't Vettel come out on top?

Sasha Jednak · Jul 23, 2019

Dux said:
He came in Ferrari with a mission and I am not seeing anything else but him staying till the very end and trying to accomplish what he wished for when he came in first place. For one he can do it, and second i dont see anyone else more capable to do it with Ferrari than him. Because Hamilton today might be strong, but people forget that when things were messy, and many teams won a race, such as 2012 as much as 7 drivers winning in first 7 races, Hamilton was next to Maldonado. It's all relative. So no.

Very important thing that is often overlooked. I agree with your whole post.

HAMALO · Jul 23, 2019

Yes would be great to fire him and get Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari and 100% LH44 will win the championship no problem

rosgillies · Jul 23, 2019

Having a shave? Less in car weight.

jonelsorel · Jul 23, 2019

If Sebastian Vettel stays the same, a move away from Ferrari - to which team, I wonder - would only help him dig the hole he finds himself in even further. Apart from Mercedes and Red Bull, no team actually has what it takes to challenge for the title. I'm not sure how keen his old team is to take him back, wings (and morale) broken after he couldn't score a championship with his dream team in 5 years. He has to rediscover what he is really made of, good and bad, as I'm afraid he thought too highly of himself after 4 easy titles with a team more dominant than today's Mercedes. Pressure makes him crack, and his Ferrari stint proves it.