In addition to being a four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel is a lifelong fan of the sport and a purist. Furthermore, he has never hidden his admiration for countryman Michael Schumacher.

Though Vettel entered F1 they year after Schumacher left the sport, he was able to race against the seven-time world champion when he returned to F1 with Mercedes in 2010.

The friendship between the pair was obvious, even if the youngster was understandably gushing at times.

At a time, Lewis Hamilton's equalling of Schumacher's record of 91 Grand Prix wins, once again sparks debate over who is the sport's finest, Vettel admits that, for now at least, Michael remains the greatest.

"I can always say Michael will always be my hero," he admits, "I think Michael had something about him that I haven't seen in other drivers so far.

"It's probably the fact I looked up to him when I was a child, and Lewis I didn't look up to when I was a child as I was racing him, so it's a different situation," he added.

"Probably in another 15-20 years' time there will be more admiration for that.

"But obviously when you are still active you are looking at yourself and not so much at others.

"I think he was just better than anybody else I have seen so far," said Vettel he so desired to emulate his hero's achievement in helping to resurrect Ferrari's winning ways. "I think he had a natural talent that is very difficult to explain.

"If you see him go-karting, obviously I didn't see him at a young age but at an older age, I was happy to join him in the Race of Champions a couple of times and you see a bit more skills and car control. I think he had a natural ability that as I said I haven't seen with anyone else so far.

"On top of that he had an incredible work ethic but I think it is a combination of the two that stands out. I haven't seen a match yet."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 21/10/2020 15:26

"@Stitch431 there have been significant changes to Cars & Rules during Mercedes' years of dominance - some of them intended specifically to end or reduce that dominance ("Party" mode ban, for example). Brawn & Schumacher may well have built a sound foundation, but it has required a huge effort from all concerned to get to & remain at the top.
Hamilton & Bottas aren't just "jocks" with fast reflexes & natural ability (though both have lots of that). To keep the Silvery Arrows at the peak, both feedback complex & highly technical data to the team - as do all the other drivers on the grid
Contrary to what you imply, Hamilton\Wolff\Mercedes is a formidable combination of all the talents as was the Schumacher\Brawn\Ferrari Team.

I'm not going to play the "Best of all time" game. As an old fogey I tend towards seeing the 50's & 60's as being a Golden Era of magnificent & heroic drivers. My gut will always tell me Jim Clark was the GOAT but - and this is important - the bravery and skill of drivers in that era doesn't diminish the talent & ability of those who preceded, or those who followed on. I admire various drivers' different aptitudes abilities & achievements and try to celebrate them within their unique historical contexts. "

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2. Posted by gt3bill, 19/10/2020 3:22

"schumacher was one of the most over rated , "bull in a china shop" driver i have ever seen in F1, a hack!!! ..i have met Jackie Steward and a few others , i have a driving suit signed by fangio that was acquired in the old days. Watching Shuey with all his teammates running interference for him while he drove off into the sunset was ridiculous. Easy to see that Vettal is exactly the same..Vettal could not make a clean pass on a driver stopped at the side of the track...lol ...both of them are hacks Shuey trying to run Villeneuve off so he could win, typical square head move. Haki showed him at Spa how it is done, that was pass of the decade!! I remember the shuey chop where 50 million dollars worth of cars were destroyed because of his antics. He should of been in smash up derby, he surely would of been the best...Vettal whines and cries , he is good at that..lol, and ferrari axed Rickinnen, What a load that was. The "kid" showed him who was boss in Monza last year...Could not have happened to a nicer guy!! It is nice to see Vettal wallow is his own stupidity now...... lol... It was sad what happen to shuey but as a racer no respect.I wonder how many drivers in that era would say shumey was the best...lol..i doubt any of them... just a square head..cant wait till all his records are broken!..i have more respect for racers that know how to race .... "

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3. Posted by Wokingchap, 17/10/2020 17:57

"VC10.... i agree.

F.one.... Shumy 'was' the best."

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4. Posted by jcr, 17/10/2020 14:49

"Stitch431, Could,nt agree more.
Well said Seb !.
"

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5. Posted by Stitch431, 17/10/2020 7:47

"I just read an interview where Lewis says that there is more to it than just to have a dominant car and gives an example of Schumacher who would not have won without his team. He also states that it needs a top driver to give good feedback to the team in order for them to be able to develop the car to a top car. Lewis is right. Only the work was already done before! he got into that car. It was the brilliant work of Michael Schumacher and the his teamwork with Ross Brawn. Yes, Schumi waited too long before renewing his contract with Mercedes, and yes Lewis took a smart advantage of that. Of course, the form has been retained in the years since, which does require a good amount of teamwork, but which is easier for a winning team because a winning team is a motivated team. But just let's not forget, that is mainly due to the genius idea of Ross Brawn, who had been working on the now well-known engine formula for two years before bringing it through via lobby, and which gave Mercedes its dominant position. A dominance which lasts until this day for the biggest part, because of this engine formula. Yes, Lewis is a really good driver, but without this dominant package, he would not have been on par with Schumi now. Schumi however, had to put up with quite a lot more competition for most of his titles. If Lewis wants to debunk this, he must offer Max to trade places and then deliver the same results. We all know that the picture would really look different for him then. Conclusion: I agree with Sebastian in this case, but that is just my humble opinion."

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6. Posted by Tardis40, 17/10/2020 1:35

"Can you imagine how many races he would have won if given an unbeatable car like the Mercedes?"

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7. Posted by F One, 16/10/2020 22:26

"Schumacher is the best and always will be."

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8. Posted by VC10-1103, 16/10/2020 18:20

"If Seb was a lifelong fan of the sport and a PURIST how can he possibly be an admirer of a man who used dubious, and sometimes dangerous, tactics to win. As far as I am concerned, after following F1 since 1969, Schumacher will never be in my top 10 for that reason. Had he completed fairly it would be a different matter."

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For Vettel, Schumacher remains the best

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