It is why the debate over Vettel will rage on, despite the fact that he is
universally regarded as a worthy champion this year, having done everything
asked of him almost without making a mistake.
It is why some people will tell you that if you put Hamilton in a Red Bull he
would wipe the floor with Vettel. And it is why others will tell you
Fernando Alonso would beat both of them. Until they all race in the same
machines it is all conjecture.
“There have been instances, of course, when a driver has compensated,” Newey
allowed. “When an extraordinary driver in, let’s say, a good car but not
quite the best, is capable of winning the championship.
“And vice versa there are lots of instances when a championship has been won
by a great car which possibly doesn’t have the best driver operating it.
Thank God it is like that, because if it was any other way you could argue
that the same driver would win every year. Because if there is one driver
who is ahead of his peers, and the car made no difference, then by rights he
should win every year.”
It is clear Vettel has improved this year. His team-mate, Mark Webber, has not
become a bad driver overnight and the German has wiped the floor with him.
Vettel made a strong case for his own improved form on Thursday when he
pointed out that he had probably had a bigger performance advantage in 2010
when he only scraped home on the final day of the season.
“I think that is correct,” Newey agreed. “We squandered a huge number of
points last year. I think Sebastian is naturally gifted but he works hard
and that is always the hallmark of a great driver.”
Better than other drivers who have won titles in his cars? Alain Prost for
instance? Mika Hakkinen? Newey was not falling for that. “Pass,” he smiled.
The simple fact is the combination of Vettel and Red Bull have been far too
good this year. No one can argue with that.
The grid
1, S Vettel (Germany, Red Bull – Renault) 1-30.466; 2, J Button (GB, McLaren)
1-30.475; 3, L Hamilton (GB, McLaren) 1-30.617; 4, F Massa (Brazil, Ferrari)
1-30.804; 5, F Alonso (Spain) Ferrari 1-30.886; 6, M Webber (Australia, Red
Bull – Renault) 1-31.156; 7, K Kobayashi (Japan, Sauber – Ferrari) NT 8, M
Schumacher (Germany, Mercedes) NT; 9, B Senna (Brazil, Renault) NT; 10, V
Petrov (Russia, Renault) NT.