Vettel questions Verstappen's cool approach to F1 title battle

Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has responded to Max Verstappen’s comments about his calm approach to the F1 title battle with Lewis Hamilton by claiming it is impossible to stay cool if you care about winning.

Vettel had to soak up the pressure to win his first title in 2010, finishing just four points ahead of then-Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso in a four-way title fight by taking victory in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen claimed ahead of this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix that he has “not much to worry about” but Vettel said: “I can’t speak for everyone, but if you care about something really much then it is difficult to be always cool and in control.

“Is it helpful to be cool and controlled? Probably, most of the time yes, but I think time will tell.

“It’s great for people, it’s exciting when there is a close fight, but yeah, I don’t think you can always be cool, especially if you care. That would be me, but maybe he’s different.”

Vettel agrees title will not change Verstappen's life

Verstappen has won seven races for Red Bull this year compared to Mercedes driver Hamilton’s five and the pair are separated by just two points with seven grands prix of the 22-race season remaining.

Now in his seventh year of F1, Verstappen could break Mercedes’ long-standing title deadlock by winning his first crown but he said it will not change his life whether he does or does not succeed.

Vettel agreed, adding: “He has to judge as to whether it would impact or change his life or not [but] in the bigger scheme of things, he’s probably right. He’s young, he has plenty of time.

“I don’t think he has much to prove. He’s been around for a long time already so it’s not like he is a newcomer, he has been around five-six years so, I don’t know, time will tell.”

Related

F1 News & Gossip

F1 set for stunning 2026 RETURN to shock track

• May 2, 2024 11:57

Turkish Grand Prix

Hamilton 'giving no energy' to Mercedes engine troubles

• October 17, 2021 08:00