Racing lines: Is it time for Vettel to stop?

Racing lines: Is it time for Vettel to stop?

Autocar

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No decision is straightforward in F1 as the 2021 grid takes shape

Back in the 1970s, Emerson Fittipaldi experienced a Formula 1 career of two halves.

For five years, first with Lotus and then with McLaren, he blazed away, becoming a two-time world champion – the youngest yet in F1 history – and a 14-time grand prix winner. But over the course of the next five years, his star burned out as he turned his back on McLaren in favour of his brother’s Brazilian-backed ‘dream team’ that dwindled into a nightmare. Fittipaldi never won another grand prix and left F1 in 1980 as yesterday’s man.

In just five years at Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel has equalled Fittipaldi’s total career tally of 14 wins. But in the context of his time at Red Bull, in which he claimed four consecutive world titles and lowered the record for youngest ever world champion, his latter career in red has largely been written off as a failure – another dream that has dwindled into a nightmare.

The lack of a fifth title and a wince-inducing string of driver errors have sent the German’s reputation into a tail-spin. Perceptions are harsh in F1: a man who is third in the all-time list of grand prix winners (53), behind only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (84), is stained by a question mark that suggests the numbers flatter his true standing.

*IT’S NOT OVER YET*

Vettel’s communication breakdown with Ferrari sparked a three-day frenzy of lockdown driver market musical chairs, as Carlos Sainz signed to replace him and Daniel Ricciardo in turn took the Spaniard’s place at McLaren. Except, of course, they haven’t. Not yet. The game only counts for 2021, and the trio must first see out their current obligations if or when the 2020 season finally gets under way.

The plan is for F1 to resume with a double-header at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 5 and 12 July, followed by twin races on consecutive weekends at Silverstone, subject to UK government approval and a possible exemption from the new, undefined 14-day quarantine rules.

If racing does get going, Vettel should be hungry for a successful Ferrari coda, adding to those 14 wins and even claiming that craved fifth title. It seems a long shot: Ferrari’s spotlight will now surely be trained solely on to its young talisman, Charles Leclerc, who is contractually committed for the next five years. Still, fortune is a fickle mistress, and you never know. Vettel is still too good and too proud to be written off quite so easily.

*ALONSO WAITS IN THE WINGS*

Relations at Renault might be a little awkward if the 2020 season does begin, given Cyril Abiteboul’s curt response to his driver Ricciardo’s decision to quit the team in favour of McLaren for next year.

The Australian is currently earning £20 million per year to drive a factory entry but still reckons a customer team only just emerging from the worst slump in its history is a better bet for his future. No wonder it stings.

On paper, the seven-time grand prix winner should have been the first choice for Ferrari over Sainz. But bizarre as it may sound, Ricciardo is probably too good for Ferrari’s current needs. At just 25, Sainz already has 102 F1 starts behind him, is fast, intelligent, speaks Italian, seems resilient to pressure and shouldn’t rock the boat too much in regards to the anointed Leclerc. In contrast, Ricciardo’s signature wide smile belies a feisty operator who, at 30, is becoming increasingly desperate for a shot at a world title.

Ferrari values tranquillity over friction in its quest to topple Mercedes from its high F1 pedestal. In that respect, the Scuderia has probably made the right call – although rejecting a proven winner so rapidly should still raise eyebrows. McLaren has gained a huge asset. But who will replace Ricciardo? Might Nico Hülkenberg, dropped at the end of last year, get a reprieve? What about the unproven and not yet ripe juniors on Renault’s books?

These are hardly options to inspire the fire and ambition Renault so desperately needs to quell doubts about its long-term F1 future – especially when a certain double world champion is ready and available.

Fernando Alonso will be 39 next year and have been out of F1 for two seasons. He also carries a mountain of perceived baggage following a combustible career that already includes two stints at Renault. Would a return to the team with which he won consecutive titles way back in 2005 and 2006 end in tears? Possibly. You could argue probably. But then again, it’s Alonso, one of the finest and most exciting drivers the sport has ever seen. It’s a huge call that hinges not just on Alonso’s own hunger but also on Renault’s: can it handle him? Is he worth the risk? How destructive – or constructive – could he be? Take your time, Cyril.

*JUDGEMENT DAY FOR VETTEL*

Then again, what about Vettel for Renault? He’s looked a beaten man in recent times, a shadow of the cocksure youth who pummelled his rivals at the zenith of his Red Bull days, plus Renault needs a ton of work to become a winner. Would he really have the stomach for it after Ferrari? Then again, racing drivers are a long time retired, and he’s still only 32.

In his Ferrari breakdown statement, Vettel said: “I will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future”. Among all his big career numbers, the one that counts the most right now is three: Vettel is a dedicated father to a trio of young children, and no matter who you are, kids change your perspective.

Intensely private, highly intelligent and all too aware of how he is perceived, Vettel has always been clear about how much he values his life beyond the race tracks. Perhaps it’s time to stop. The again, the brightest racing drivers don’t always choose the logical path.

Just ask Fittipaldi.

*READ MORE*

*Vettel to leave Ferrari F1 team at end of 2020 season*

*Opinion: why Leclerc made Vettel expendable at Ferrari*

*F1 latest: Sainz signs for Ferrari, Ricciardo joins McLaren*

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