Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Bruno Senna attend the drivers press conference during previews for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo : Getty Images/Clive Mason)
Sebastian Vettel was a prodigy in the racing scene, beginning his career in Formula 3 and making his way up as a test driver, before establishing himself as one of the best in the world. He was called up by the BMW Sauber team back in the 2006 Formula One Season, but really made proved his worth four years later.
As part of the Red Bull Formula One team, Vettel won four successive championships between 2010 and 2013, while setting a number of records along the way. Among these records, he is best known for his various "youngest" records. He has held the record for youngest driver to ever take part in a Grand Prix practice session, to score championship points, to lead a race, to win a race, and secure pole position.
However, fans and critics are now arguing that Vettel made the wrong decision by leaving Red Bull at the end of the 2014 season in order to join Scuderia Ferrari. His move was likened to that of Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher, who took around five years before winning a championship with the team after he had it back to back with Benetton-Ford back in 1994 and 1995.
The only difference between the two drivers was that "Michael [Schumacher] had Benetton people in his luggage," F1 legend Gerhard Berger told Motorsport Aktuell in an interview, as cited by Auto Week. He added that Vettel should have only accepted the move to Ferrari, if it meant that he could have taken key people from the Red Bull team who know him as well as his driving style, and have years of experience working with him.
Vettel has struggled to reach the podium during his time with Ferrari and has been criticized by his fans as well as his own team. This has left him frustrated, as he may angle for a move away from the team by the end of the current Formula One season. Further speculation arose when Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne admitted that he was unsure of Vettel's future with them.
Despite the fact that current champions Mercedes AMG Petronas have recently Valtteri Bottas, Vettel can still join the team in 2018 due to the fact that the former's contract lasts for only a year, the Express reported. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has also stated that he would want to keep the team's options open, especially since a number of top drivers' contracts will be expiring at the end of the current campaign, Vettel's included.
Watch some of Vettel's highlights during his time with Red Bull in the video below:
