German. Multiple World Championships. Arguably one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers to ever grace the podium. Do you know who I’m talking about? I know what you’re thinking, “It’s probably Michael Schumacher or Sebastian Vettel,” right?

In Formula 1, you’re only as good as your last race. However, only a few can boast comparisons with the best of the best, irrespective of where they stand in their career arcs as we speak.

Sebastian Vettel has defined Formula 1 for over a decade and a half now. Making his debut with BMW Sauber, he went on to become the youngest ever pole-sitter and race winner.

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He became a maverick of the motorsports world with 4 consecutive championships with Red Bull. At 27, the world was at Vettel’s feet. But he chose to write his own destiny by joining the Scuderia and following his idol, Michael Schumacher.

Sebastian Vettel desired to leave his own mark

Parallels have been drawn up between the two great Germans. But contrary to popular belief, Vettel isn’t as enthusiastic about this as we would believe.

Speaking to the media after his maiden win with Ferrari at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, Vettel remarked, that Schumacher had left “very large footsteps but the target is not to fill those, the target is ideally to leave some new ones.”

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Incidentally, even Schumacher was aware of this. “He hates to be compared with me. But he’s a winner. And he’s going to be a great one.”

Media chatter also picked up after the 4-time World Champion decided to join Aston Martin for the 2021 season. Schumacher had retired from the sport only to join a new Mercedes team for the 2010 Formula 1 season.

However, Vettel, who is often referred to as ‘Baby Schumi’, was quick to dismiss any such comparisons. “You can’t compare my situation with Michael’s back then. Firstly, it was a different time. Secondly, it is a different team with different requirements.”

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With 53 wins, 122 podiums and 57 pole positions, it is safe to assume that Sebastian Vettel has carved a name for himself in the history books of Formula 1 racing.