Schumacher "the greatest" even if Hamilton adds to title haul - Vettel
Schumacher "the greatest" even if Hamilton adds to title haul - Vettel
Sebastian Vettel has declared Michael Schumacher will always be "the greatest" even if Lewis Hamilton 'wins five more championships'.
Over time, Hamilton has gradually overhauled the many records that once belonged to Schumacher, claiming the most significant with the most wins and poles, while he stands level with the German's haul of seven titles.
The Mercedes driver heads into the final race of this season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday level on points with Max Verstappen, yet for Vettel, an eighth championship for the Briton would not dethrone Schumacher as the greatest of all time.
“Michael is my hero," stated Vettel. "For that reason, I probably don’t want Lewis to win.
"But the truth is that they have both had a strong season and they are going into the last race with the opportunity to win the championship because they both deserve it.
“In a way, I would be happy if Michael’s record still stands, but even if Lewis wins, to me, Michael is still the greatest.
“Lewis can win one more, two more, three more, five more championships, it doesn’t change anything for me, and I get along with Lewis, so probably the gut says I want Max to win just to keep Michael’s record alive.
“But my head is quite clear - may the better man win.”
Vettel Red Bull honour on the brink
Vettel remains the last non-Mercedes driver to win the title in 2013.
Asked if he was concerned of seeing such an honour being claimed by Verstappen, he said frankly: “I don’t care.
"The team has changed a lot. Some people left a long time ago like me, others are still there so it would be great also to see them winning.
“For the constructors’, obviously, it has got a bit harder in terms of the points they dropped after the last race, but I would be happy for them to win the championship because I have such strong or nice memories so it would be nice for them also.
“But like I said, from a drivers’ point of view, both deserve it. From a team point of view, I am closer to Red Bull than I am Mercedes and it would be nice if they would get another championship so my record doesn’t list anywhere.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 56 minutes ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 1 hour ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 2 hours ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- 3 hours ago
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- Today 17:57
Hamilton F1 rival makes SURPRISE claim about Ferrari move
- Today 16:57
Related news
F1 track to test stunning new driver format
Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage
Verstappen's F1 break includes one major omission
Marko mourns death of key Red Bull figure after championship win
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860