I was a big fan of F1 back in the Honda-Wiiiams-Lotus years, and got a bit bored with it through the Schumacher/Ferrari years (how many time can you watch Schumie win). I started watching a bit more this year and I have a question for the real fans, Is Vettel that good or is it Redbull is that good a team or is Renault got a lock on engine tech. He seems to be waaaaaaay better than everyone else.

 

By all accounts he seems to be that good. Redbull has been the team to beat every race and they clearly seem to excel in every aspect but Vettel always gets the most out of that race car - handling, tire wear, competitive wheel to wheel racing, etc. He seems truly gifted to me.

 

I could never tire of watching Shummy. Vettel is good but he is not Shummy!

 

Sebastian always distances Mark Webber, his team mate, with a similar a car set up. So I would I have a tendency to believe his driving skill is the delimiting factor...Sebastian seems to control his driving skills very well. Plus, there’s no doubt that the Red Bull - Renault cars are superior to what the competition offers. His success is a combination of both driving skills/car management and a great race car.

Gary

 

I think he's that good ..... but it sure helps that he's got a great car and organization behind him.
I wonder if Red Bull can come up with another winning car next year with the new engines and the loss of one of their top aero guys.

 

Ken-

I think he's that good. He outpaces his teammate and seems to have some ability to just 'get away' from the other cars.

To those that have heard this story, sorry for the repetition - and I'm pretty sure Ken has heard it. I had VIP tickets to F1 Brazil in 2006, courtesy of my cousin's husband (at the time, who was the Race Promoter (also at the time)). We sat in a special section (it was Schumy's retirement, so the VIP requests were more than usual as I heard it).

In the section I was seated there were a number of people from the Brazilian auto and racing industries. I knew NONE of them, however, other cousins I was with who spent years and years at GM knew many of them. One of the others was the head of VW South America I believe. While watching Friday practice, he was talking with my cousin and myself about Vettel. Mentioned how smooth he was and how quick he was due to not fighting the car all the time.

From Friday practice...

 

And that's what impresses me. He never seems to be fighting the car - a skill only the absolute best can have at those speeds and conditions. If you watched the last race Mario said he was impressed to have met him! I don't think MA tosses out compliments like that every day.