Vettel still has what it takes, says Webber

London - Vettel has gone 16 races without a victory and made some costly errors, while Hamilton has won 14 of the last 20

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By Reuters

Published: Thu 27 Jun 2019, 11:14 PM

Last updated: Fri 28 Jun 2019, 1:17 AM

Sebastian Vettel took the Formula One lead from Lewis Hamilton at last year's Austrian Grand Prix but the Ferrari driver has now fallen so far behind there can be no repeat at Spielberg this weekend.
"I think he needs a couple more lieutenants, he needs to have less responsibility in the team and just more reassurance that the Monday to Friday stuff is going to be dealt with," he said. 
After eight races, Ferrari's German lags his Mercedes rival by 76 points and cannot catch up until August, even if Hamilton had three retirements in a row - unlikely for a man with only one since 2016.
Vettel has gone 16 races without a victory and made some costly errors, while Hamilton has won 14 of the last 20.
Questions have increasingly been asked about Vettel's performance under pressure while Hamilton speeds towards a sixth championship.
Australian Mark Webber, now-retired former Red Bull teammate, feels Vettel still has what it takes but needs better support and more ammunition from the oldest and most glamorous team.
"I think he needs a couple more lieutenants, he needs to have less responsibility in the team and just more reassurance that the Monday to Friday stuff is going to be dealt with," he told Reuters.
"Seb's still has got it, but it's a real challenge to stay ahead against a Mercedes-Lewis Hamilton factor week in and week out."
Vettel is third overall, and best of the rest behind the Mercedes drivers, with teammate Charles Leclerc fifth and 24 points further adrift.
Formula One's most successful team have not won any title since 2008. 
 

Reuters

Published: Thu 27 Jun 2019, 11:14 PM

Last updated: Fri 28 Jun 2019, 1:17 AM

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