Sebastian Vettel will retire from F1 with a “shadow” over his profession after by no means profitable the title with Ferrari, in accordance with ex-Arrows F1 driver Marc Surer. He warns Vettel might be remembered as a driver who “couldn’t make it anymore” after success with Purple Bull.
Vettel got here inside simply 46 factors of beating Hamilton to the crown in 2017 and challenged once more a yr later. The German held the championship lead at numerous phases all through the opening a part of 2018 however he in the end dropped away after crashing on the German Grand Prix.
Chatting with Formel1.de, Surer mentioned: “In fact, it’s a disgrace that he solely gained titles with Purple Bull. It could have been good if he had gained one other title with Ferrari, as a result of that’s a little bit of a shadow.
“Now you simply say: Okay, that was only a good section of Purple Bull and he dusted the whole lot off after which he couldn’t make it anymore. It’s sort of a disgrace.” Vettel was Ferrari’s third-most profitable driver when it comes to race victories.
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However, when leaving the Prancing Horse, Vettel claimed he took no consolation from the statistics as he admitted he had “failed” in reaching the purpose he set for the workforce. He commented: “We had the ambition and goal to win the championship, and we did not. I feel it is simply an trustworthy reflection. I do not suppose saying it out loud modifications something.
“We have been up in opposition to a really sturdy team-driver mixture, however our purpose was to be stronger than that and in that regard we failed.” Nonetheless, Surer nonetheless praises Vettel for being considered one of just some drivers on the grid who might win in opposition to the chances.
He says it’s this ability meaning the four-time champion was nonetheless one of many “actually massive” drivers in F1 historical past.
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Surer defined: “I imply, he actually did one thing sensational. He additionally gained races that you just shouldn’t really win. For me, that’s at all times the distinction between an excellent driver and driver. In the event you don’t have the quickest automobile and nonetheless win the race, solely very, only a few can try this and Sebastian Vettel is considered one of them. That’s why I classify him as one of many actually massive ones.”
Vettel introduced his resolution to depart F1 was to spend extra time along with his household and kids. The a number of champion has struggled to compete with the frontrunners since transferring to Aston Martin final season.