Sebastian Vettel: Does He Deserve The Hate?

I remember the 2006 season, I was aware of a BMW Sauber third driver of Sebastian Vettel, I knew at the time he was 19 and is German. That is the most I remember of him, apart from him setting the fastest free practice time at the Hungarian GP, because of the thrilling championship battle Michael Schumacher and eventual winner Fernando Alonso provided. Suddenly, in 2007, he raced for BMW Sauber at the United States Grand Prix, where he replaced Robert Kubica because of the crash he had in Canada, and Vettel took his first point in Formula One, becoming the youngest point scorer at the age of 19, beating Jenson Button's record of 20 back in 2000. Scuderia Toro Rosso signed him up, and incredibly, he finished 5th at the Chinese Grand Prix, which many in the paddock took notice of the young German.

In 2008, he had a dismal season until the Italian GP, where he qualified in pole position, becoming the youngest ever pole sitter, in the rain and in a car that used to be a Minardi until 2005, and a car that wasn't quick enough to match the pace of the Ferrari or Mclaren's. The race on Sunday proved what a Talent he was by winning the Italian GP, finishing ahead of the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen, even in an underpowered car compared to the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, and earned the nickname 'baby Schumi', a reference to a younger version of Michael Schumacher.

2009 saw a new set of regulations, including wider front wings, narrower rear wings and slick tytes re-introduced. He joined the Red Bull Racing team, losing out to the world championship to Jenson Button of Brawn GP, but yet won several races. In 2010 he became a world champion, and boy it wasn't easy. A crash with Mark Webber at Turkey almost ended his title challenge, as it came to the final race, the winner of the race, that was the only time he lead the championship in 2010; Alonso got held up by a strong Vitaly Petrov for Renault. Abu Dhabi GP of 2010 was the first time in Formula One history that four drivers were mathematically in contention for the championship (Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel).

In 2011 he dominated the season; reminded me of a Schumacher in the Ferrari-he collected 15 pole positions, the most ever in a season, and collected 11 wins in what was a season that Vettel was unstoppable. A few mutters about the legality of the front wing was brought into question, as from onboard footage showed that it flexed so much, that it almost touched the floor. However it was deemed legal after the FIA conducted a weights test. Also the revolutionary blown defuser, which is a system where blown exhaust gases are aimed at the rear diffuser, thus generating more downforce. This was Vettel's second championship, and the youngest double champion, beating Fernando Alonso's record.

2012 was a mixed season, struggled at the start, won the Bahrain round after pressure from Raikkonen. Fernando Alonso was running away towards his third championship for Ferrari, until Vettel kept winning races and form was there at the second half of the season. At the Abu Dhabi GP, he qualified 3rd, but due to having less than one litre of fuel for checks, he was sent to back of the grid, but Red Bull opted to start him from the pit lane so they can change settings so they can get Vettel up the grid. After two wing damages forcing him to pit, he managed an incredible 3rd, unbelievable considering how he lost time in the race. He could of won had it not been for several incidents. Brazil was even crazier. He didn't start well, and was spun out and hit by Bruno Senna, however he managed to get racing again and after a debate on wether he overtook on yellow flags, he was found to have overtook Vergne as a marshall was waving a green flag. Before that, he overtook a HRT under a yellow flag, but the HRT looked as if he went to wide. Anyway, Vettel found himself behind Alonso. Silly errors could of cost Vettel the championship to Alonso such as the pit stop where lack of radio communication meant Red Bull pit crew were late in fitting Vettel with new tyres. Vettel pushed. His hero Michael Schumacher let him by; Alonso was 2nd, Vettel ended up in 6th position which was enough for him to win his 3rd championship. A crash by Paul Di Resta in the final straight brought out the safety car, which lasted until the end of the race. The race ended, Vettel become the 3 times world champion, the youngest in fact, beating a dejected Fernando Alonso.

2013 provided a controversial start; at the Malaysian GP, Vettel was ordered to stay behind Mark Webber who had turned his engine down. Mark Webber won the race. But then Vettel wanted the win so bad he took over Webber and became the winner. It caused controversy amongst the media, fans and the team. "You wanted the win so bad, but you have some explaining to do", is what Vettel was told over the radio. Vettel has earnt a few boos, especially after retiring at the British GP, and at the Italian GP where the Tifosi booed him on the podium ceremony. He looks favourite to become a 4 times world champion. He keeps getting booed all the time; the fans are sick of him winning, but it is down to his driving and teamwork. At the Singapore GP, after the safety car come in at lap 31, he led Nico.Rosberg a stunning 3.2 seconds in just one lap, and built a 30 second gap before entering the pits then came out ahead of Alonso. Vettel then quickly finished with a lead of 32.6 seconds. Absolutely crazy.

Now, the booing stems down from when he controversially overtook Mark Webber, despite team orders forbidding him to do so. He has become the hated of F1. With a 60 point lead going into the Korean GP in 2 weeks time, he is on the verge of becoming a 4 times back to back champion. The only person to ever do that in.a row is Michael Schumacher. It seems that the former champion reckons Sebastian can equal or better his records. He is only 26, and has beaten Alonsos win tally; the former has 33 and the latter has 32. That must hurt Alonso, a two times champion. Vettel may be dominating Formula One, but he deserves credit for his records at such a young age. People prefer Alonso, but he has been inolved in more controversial incidents, including emails in the Spygate scandal of 2007. The only thing wrong is that Vettel did the dirty on Webber and that is it in theory, and perhaps becoming too boring. Anyway, it is down to the fans with the opinions, it seems that the 'haters' are holding onto Malaysia 2013. Alonso never got booed when he commited his crimes in 2007, Schumacher never got booed when he stalled his car on the Monaco circuit. Both have had several moments of controversy, but Vettel's only crime is to wanting to win by denying team orders.

Italian GP: Review-Vettel wins. Again!

Would you have bet on anyone winning the race other than Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel? If you did, you might be fustrated just like the Tifosi, who wanted a Ferrari driver to be on the top step of the podium at the famous 3.6 mile circuit. The race was certainly thrilling, and tense for the Red Bull pit wall as Vettel and Mark Webber had to short shift gears out of corners, as a gearbox issue was raised at the later stages of the races.

First lap was almost clean; Vettel flat spotted his front right tyre, but managed to maintain the lead on the first lap. Fernando Alonso passed Webber on the finish of the Curve Grande, but light contact was made on the chicane but never created problems. Paul Di Resta locked up his Force India into the second chicane, in which he crashed into Lotus' Romain Grosjean, ending Di Restas race. Hamilton was determined to make a positive impact on his race, however a communication issue ensured he missed a call into the pits, to replace a slow-puncturing tyre. He was fighting the likes of Raikkonen and Mclarens at the end of the race, and finished 9th. His title challenge is all but over as 175 are there for the taking, as Singapore is the venue in the next 2 weeks. Hulkenburg finished an impressive 5th, prompting rumours amongst the paddock that he could be heading to Ferrari.

Vettel leads Alonso by 53 points, 2 wins clear and on 222 points. Can anyone catch the German? He proved unpopular on the podium ceremony as the Tifosi booed which could be heard over the German national anthem. Stay tuned for more news and reviews.

F1 Italian GP Race Preview 2013

Here we are again, I haven't posted anything for some time, but I am back. I am previewing tomorrows race where the Red Bull duo head the rest of the pack at the Italian GP, for tomorrows race. Ferrari at their home track are feeling the strain after Felipe Massa outqualified Fernando Alonso 4th and 5th respectively, and a tow that went wrong, as Alonso used Massa as a way of gaining a better time-hence what sounded like a criticism aimed at his team.

Sebastian Vettel is on the verge of winning 4 straight titles in a row, whilst Alonso aims to reduce the 46 point deficite infront of the Tifosi. Vettel at present is almost unstoppable; Hamilton who has gained 4 consecutive pole positions at the last grand prixs, has admitted he drove like an 'idiot', after only qualifying 12th aswell as being impedded by Adrian Sutil-Force India driver. He is aiming to make up positions tomorrow.

Mark webber is 2nd, and to the suprise of the F1 world, Nico Hulkenburg of Sauber qualified an amazing 3rd. Autodromo Nazionale Monza as the tracks official name, suits the Saubers, who has Ferrari engines, as Sergio Perez went from 12th to 2nd last year, beating the works Ferrari. Hamilton can use that knowledge to make up places tomorrow. Kimi Raikkonen had a suprise exit in Q2, as the Lotus Renault legend could not gain a place in the final part of qualifying.

Prediction

Vettel is a strong favourite to level Alonsos win tally of 32 wins, at the age of just 26 compared to Alonso who is now 33. However, i expect the latter to gain positions on the first lap and challenge Vettel at stages of the race. Webber may have clutch issues so might fall back, and Hamilton will be a contender for a podium. Tune in tomorrow on BBC or Sky Sports F1 to view the historical race of the Italian GP.

FORZA!

German Grand Prix: Can lessons be learnt from Silverstone?

 

The upcoming German Grand Prix could be a crucial one for all drivers; after safety concerns at the British Grand Prix, it is hoped that Pirelli's new tyre design is much safer with Kevlar replacing metal inside the tyres. After four incidents last weekend, the race at the Nurburgring will prove whether the tyres can last a race distance. Pirelli insist that the kerbs are not to blame for the explosions of tyres.

Originally, Pirelli were initially tasked to make races more interesting by making sure that teams and drivers conduct more pitstops, and this has certainly been achieved but to much criticism from drivers for providing too many pitstops. Michael Schumacher has described driving with the Pirelli tyres like driving on Raw Eggshells last season. It is a bad criticism on Pirelli, one of the worlds most famous tyre manufacturer. The German Grand Prix this weekend should be an interesting one, the tyres will be heavily talked about during coverage and commentry, and it will be intersting if any of the drivers can catch Sebastian Vettel up in the drivers championship standings.

In response to the safety issues, FIA has permitted teams to conuct 2 3-day tests, which would in breech of rules regarding in-season testing, which recently Mercedes were cleared of all but a slap on the wrist. It was reported that Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 ring leader asked FIA boss Jean Todt if it is possible to conduct tests which Todt gave permission to. With the Mercedes tyre storm over, it turns out Ferrari performed similar tests but obviously no investigation has been carried out regarding Ferraris involvement in any Pirelli tests.

The race will occur this Sunday (7th July) and Alonso who is second in the standings will hope that he can catch Vettel up in the drivers standings; there is a 21 point gap, and Vettel will hope he does not suffer with a gearbox failure at his home grand prix. Mercedes are looking strong this season thanks to Nico Rosbergs almost faultless driving, and Hamilton as a good supporting act-who could of won in Britain but tyre failure ended any chances of a victory. Tune in on Sunday for the race.