Formula One: Has Sebastian Vettel thrown away his chance for a fifth title?
By Mark Gero
After his first-lap error at the last race in Singapore, has Sebastian Vettel lost his chance to catch Lewis Hamilton and win his fifth title?
Coming into the 14th round of the Formula One World Championship, Sebastian Vettel knew that his chances were good to take the lead of the standings away from rival Lewis Hamilton. Three points separated them and Vettel had already won the pole and had a good chance for a victory in a race that many past polesitters had triumphed.
Unfortunately, the gods of luck and the weather were not on the German’s side, as for the first time in the event’s 10-year history, rain struck the streets of Singapore and many drivers went on intermediate tires. Hamilton started from 5th and it looked grim for the Briton.
However, Vettel has had a reputation, as former F1 driver Mark Webber mentioned.
"“I think sometimes Seb forgets that where the back of his helmet is is not where the back of his car is! There’s a bit more he’s got to get through.”"
This was the case as Vettel blocked both Max Verstappen and his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen tried to squeeze his way though and ended up running out of room, striking Verstappen and also hitting Vettel.
In addition, Fernando Alonso got caught in the melee and flew into the air, but survived, only to leave the race laps later. But Ferrari, instead of receiving double points in the race, had both cars out and the Mercedes drivers not only got the win from Hamilton, but 3rd from teammate Valtteri Bottas as well. Double points for the Silver Arrows, nothing from Scuderia.
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Vettel’s mistake puts him 28 points in back of Hamilton, and as for the constructors title, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 102 points, which seems like unless some miracle happens, the Silver Arrows will easily take the title probably by Mexico at the end of October.
Since his transfer from Red Bull to Ferrari, Vettel has lost a little bit of patience. Last season was certainly the worst, as Vettel was knocked out races many times. He hardly got any podium finishes, let alone a victory or a chance at the title.
This season, his car was quick right out of the box, but Vettel and the pressure of being at the world’s most popular team got to him, especially in Baku in June, when he purposely rammed Hamilton during a safety car period.
Vettel is known as being a hot-headed person of late, and this accident at Singapore certainly proves that he was at fault, and this might be the beginning to make him a different driver altogether.
However, the plus side is that Vettel never gives up and has won the title coming from behind back in 2010 and 2012. And with six races to go, many of them, in fact, will favor Ferrari. But the team needs one thing: for Hamilton to have a couple of non-finishes.
If that happens and Vettel wins a few races, he can get back into the fight once again. But if Vettel resorts, once again, to temper tantrums and erratic driving demonstrations, then there might never be a chance again for him to take that fifth title, to be among the world’s greats like Michael Schumacher, his idol, or the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, another five-time champion.
It just might be Hamilton’s year.
Next: Looking back at Lewis Hamilton's record 69 poles
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