Sebastian Vettel says Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are favourites for 2011 Formula One season
Current Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has rated Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Mclaren’s Lewis Hamilton as title contenders for the 2011 season alongside him. The young German also said that the legendary Michael Schumacher would be a serious challenger
in the upcoming season.
Last year was a dream come true for Vettel as he became the youngest ever Formula One champion. However, the Red Bull driver had to work hard to achieve glory.
He was given a tough time by team-mate Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso towards the end of 2010. For most of the season Webber was in the lead and was the favourite to win the title, but Vettel turned the tables towards the end of the year.
Going into the final race at Abu Dhabi, Vettel was third in the driver’s standings, behind Alonso and Webber. However, Vettel ended up on top after the final race, when it really mattered. There is a stiff competition expected in the upcoming season with
Ferrari and Mclaren geared up to win both titles.
Even though experts have ruled out any chance of Mercedes GP coming back stronger in the 2011 season, Vettel is fully aware of what the German giants are capable of. He stated, “Schumacher's history is too great to write him off, and Nico Rosberg has also
showed us his strength.”
There are also some other drivers, who Vettel believes will be stronger in the upcoming season. He rated Alonso’s Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa and Red Bull driver Mark Webber to be amongst the front-runners.
Vettel claimed, “He (Massa) didn't have a good season but no one should underestimate him; it's not so long ago that he was really strong.”
The next season will be exciting and much more challenging compared to 2010, especially since a lot of developments have been brought into the sport by the governing body, the FIA.
Teams and drivers, who will quickly adapt to the changes in the regulations, will definitely be on top. Red Bull, Ferrari, Mclaren, Mercedes and possibly Lotus Renault will all be eying for to fight it out at the front. However, Vettel will be looking forward
to an improved show and successfully defending his driver's title.
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