Former F1 boss slams Sebastian Vettel speculation as 'rubbish'

Formula 1

Former F1 boss slams Sebastian Vettel speculation as 'rubbish'

Vettel became one of the best loved drivers in the sport

By Chris Deeley.

Tuesday 29 April 2025 17:00

Speculation regarding Sebastian Vettel and the fact he could only win in the best car has been dismissed by a former Formula 1 team chief.

Franz Tost, who spent 18 years leading the Red Bull junior team currently known as Racing Bulls, has argued that those claims are 'rubbish'.

Tost worked with Vettel when he drove for Toro Rosso back in 2008 and witnessed firsthand the skills that the four-time champion had at his disposal.

Now, in a wide-ranging interview with Sport1, Tost was informed that Vettel had developed a reputation, 'especially in England', as a driver who could only win when given the fastest car on the grid.

Tost: Vettel one of the best ever

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Tost's response to the question was strong, saying: “That's rubbish. Vettel won as a rookie with a Toro Rosso, dominated Formula BMW before that and also won with Ferrari. He is definitely one of the best of all time. The car was only part of it. A Piastri wouldn't be winning today if he wasn't in a McLaren.”

When that last comment was followed up, Tost was asked whether he believed Piastri could have matched Max Verstappen's brilliant win from pole in Suzuka this season if he was also driving a Red Bull.

He answered: "I can hardly imagine that. He put in a magical lap in qualifying, and in the race he controlled everything. That was the typical Max factor. I doubt anyone else could have achieved that."

Verstappen has a long history of outperforming his team-mates in equivalent machinery, with the last 18 months a prime example of that as he continues to burn through driving partners.

Red Bull Max Verstappen McLaren Oscar Piastri Sebastian Vettel Toro Rosso