Dr Helmut Marko has tipped Sebastian Vettel to become the 2017 Formula 1 world champion over Lewis Hamilton. The two look set to have a season long battle in a Ferrari and a Mercedes that look very evenly matched in terms of pace.
Marko, who worked with Vettel for many years, says that his experience with the German has taught him a lot, and has therefore placed his money on the four-time world champion.
"It's a pleasure to watch him fight again I think he would have won the race in China if he did not have the bad luck with the safety car that came out at the wrong time.
"If I had to choose between the two (Vettel and Hamilton), then I choose Vettel. I know him, and I know how you can trust him when he has smelled blood. He is also more connected to his car and his team," Marko added.
Both Vettel and Hamilton have won one race each, and whoever outscores the other in Bahrain this weekend will lead the championship heading to round four in Russia.
Fergal Walsh
Err nope, Vettel is the best driver of this generation and the last as it stands, while the other one is a just a turd thats needs a competitive car to even compete. Make no mistake the Ferrari is not the faster car. Vettel is making the difference here. Of course Vettel will win it if it stays this way, because fancy pants engine modes at merc are not going to keep Vettel behind for much longer. If Mercedes had, hell I cant believe I have to say this but, one of the RBR drivers they'd have a better chance to beating Vettel when he is in a car that is a close 2nd best to Mercedes's. Thats how mediocre the Mercedes paring is of late.
I predicate this with the fact I am not a fan of Hamilton or Mercedes, but a life long Tifosi. But, I bet every driver on the grid would want to be as "mediocre" as Mercedes of late. They have a 95 % pole rate, have won all but 7 or 8 of the races in the last 3 years, and have one of the best funded teams in history. You could say Bottas has some work to do, but Hamilton is at the top of his game and has earned his status. Many people may not "like" him or his personality, but any true F1 fan should respect what he has accomplished.
That said, I hope Vettel and Ferrari can knock Merc off by years end. F1 hasn't been this interesting in quite a few years.....
There is no doubting Lewis's out right pace and his ability to pass. His is weakness is his inability to slow up a bit to save the tires. this year is the first year where he is driving on the edge of the performance window of his tires. Not being able to manage them as well as he has in the last 2 years because he could drive inside the limits. not so anymore. The lewis of old will return
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Err nope, Vettel is the best driver of this generation and the last as it stands, while the other one is a just a turd thats needs a competitive car to even compete. Make no mistake the Ferrari is not the faster car. Vettel is making the difference here. Of course Vettel will win it if it stays t... [Read more]