Ecclestone: Vettel can win many more titles and is good for F1

Nov 30, 2011, 10:39 GMT

Berlin - Formula One will profit from the vast success of world champion Sebastian Vettel who has the class to rule the sport together with his Red Bull team for years to come, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says.

'The whole of Formula One will profit from him. Sebastian is a champion of the people, a champion the fans can identify with,' Ecclestone said in a column for a supplement of Wednesday's Sport Bild weekly dedicated to the two-times world champion Vettel.

Vettel ruled the 2011 season which ended on Sunday, setting a pole position record of 15 in a year, winning 11 races and climbing six other podiums in the 19 races, clinching successive titles five races from the end.

Ecclestone said that Vettel and Red Bull are now in a similar position as Michael Schumacher and Ferrari during their five-year title run a decade ago.

'Form a sports point of view he is in the same position as Michael Schumacher was at Ferrari. He is the best driver. And all rivals lack the package that Vettel created for himself,' Ecclestone said..

'I see no reason why he shouldn't start an era with Red Bull as Schumacher from 2000 until 2004 at Ferrari.'

Ecclestone said that his success weighs more than Schumacher's because there are more top drivers in the field now and added that more success is almost inevitable because Vettel is yet to peak.

'Sebastian will get even better because he is extremely capable of learning. He is the man to beat for the 2012 title, and 2013 and 2014,' Ecclestone said.

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