FUMES

November 28, 2012

Vettel rules.

By Peter M. De Lorenzo

(Posted 11/26, 11:30 a.m.) Detroit. Sebastian Vettel, the 25-year-old German Formula One driver, became the youngest three-time champion in history and the first to win his first three championships consecutively on Sunday. Vettel, driving for the Red Bull Racing-Renault team, endured a harrowing day in wet conditions in the Brazilian Grand Prix, which saw him survive a first-lap contact and spin, dropping him to dead last, only to claw his way back up to sixth at the end, beating Ferrari's Fernando Alonso (who finished second) by just three points.

And now the debate about Vettel's place in F1 history begins. Is he a great driver? I don't think there's any doubt. Does he rank in stature with Fangio, Clark, Stewart, Senna, Schumacher and others of historic note? It's all debatable.

First of all, it's no secret that the mesh of talented driver and technically-advanced machine cannot be underestimated. Great drivers and great machines have come together to form a championship bond throughout F1 history. And Vettel is the latest to enjoy the "machine of the moment." Remember the criticism of Schumacher's dominance? That the Ferrari was the dominant machine of that era and that any of the frontline F1 drivers back then would have done the same?

But still, great machine or not, Vettel has performed brilliantly in a kaleidoscope of conditions and situations in his still-young career. When he's had the dominant machine he's dominated, and when he had to scrap and claw under intense pressure he has delivered time and time again. Like this past Sunday.

I think Vettel will be considered one of the all-time greats when he's through. For now I hope he and his team take a moment and catch their breaths to reflect on the achievement. Because it is a moment to be savored.

Publisher's Note: As part of our continuing series celebrating the "Glory Days" of racing, we're proud to present another noteworthy image from the Ford Racing Archives. - PMD

(Courtesy of the Ford Racing Archives and Wieck Media)
Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, September 24, 1972. Jackie Stewart at speed in his No. 1 ELF Tyrrell-Ford on the way to victory in the Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport Park. Peter Revson (No. 19 Yardley McLaren-Ford) sat on the pole and would finish second, and Denny Hulme (No. 18 Yardley McLaren-Ford) would finish third. Stewart won 27 Grand Prix races in 99 starts and won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1969, 1971 and 1973.

Publisher's Note: Like these Ford racing photos? Check out www.fordimages.com. Be forewarned, however, because you won't be able to go there and not order something. - PMD

See another live episode of "Autoline After Hours" with hosts John McElroy, from Autoline Detroit, and Peter De Lorenzo, The Autoextremist, and guests this Thursday evening, at 7:00PM EDT at www.autolinedetroit.tv.

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