Now or never for Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari star bids for coveted fifth world title

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • As testing drew to a close at Circuit de Catalunya on Friday, Sebastian Vettel must have been brimming with confidence as he jumped on a flight back to his home in Switzerland.

    The four-time world champion was fastest over the eight days of testing in Barcelona – and looked a cut above his rivals which represents a significant boost for Ferrari ahead of the start of the new season in Melbourne on March 24.

    Irrespective of how this season goes, the German will still go down as one of the greats of F1 even if he has not dominated the sport since his world title wins between 2010-2013 with Red Bull.

    However, with the rising competitiveness of the sport – and the emergence of young stars like Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon – this is the season Vettel needs to step up another gear if he wants to win a fifth world championship.

    If the 30-year-old doesn’t do it this season he never will.

    Three barren years at Ferrari have bore him just seven victories – and although 2017 was perhaps his best year yet with the Italian marque – the unreliability of the car cost him at critical moments.

    The Heppenheim native led the championship at the halfway stage in July but suffered setbacks in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan – paving the way for Lewis Hamilton to seal a fourth world title with two races remaining in Texas.

    The car is the most important piece of any driver’s puzzle and after a strong pre-season, Vettel is surely gathering some of the old magic again in the new SF-71H car that boasts more power, better braking and effective grip from the tyres.

    Ferrari may have been quickest around the circuit in northern Spain but it is world champions Mercedes who appear to be in best shape.

    But while the Silver Arrow have maintained the edge, it is set up to be an intriguing battle between both their lead drivers – as Hamilton and Vettel attempt to break away from each other and climb to the second-highest rung on the ladder with Juan Manuel Fangio on five world titles.

    With the new car firing – the German has reason to believe this could finally be the season where he can challenge Hamilton for that coveted world title.

    In some respects, the leap in performance Ferrari made last season has given Vettel, team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and the rest of the Prancing Horse plenty of optimism for 2018.

    Vettel’s single lap times looked promising over the eight days of testing – including a stunning unofficial track record of 1:17.664 – that was subsequently lowered by Raikkonen on the final day.

    With both drivers setting the fastest lap times of the winter, this should give Vettel a major advantage if he can qualify ahead of his rivals, on fast tracks where race strategy is likely to be one stop, such as Monza and Mexico.

    Sport is about confidence, belief and skill, and Vettel needs to believe he can finally threaten Hamilton at the front of the grid consistently over the course of the season.

    It is inevitable car issues will curtail each of the drivers in at least one race across the eight-month season – however, when the car is in fine fettel Vettel needs to showcase his class behind the wheel.

    When contrasting him against his rivals, Vettel has the mental characteristics to handle pressure and is equally adept at overcoming the oversteer. Although he may not have the pace or determination to get a near-perfect qualifying lap like Hamilton, he has the ability to push the envelope in each race.

    Of course, it’s nice to see different drivers finish on the podium, but to have Vettel consistently challenging the likes of Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton or Verstappen across the full season will make for a more captivating battle for fans.

    Whether he steps on to the podium at Yas Marina Circuit in November with the world title or not, 2018 will be the litmus test to prove where he stands in the list of great drivers.

    Recommended