Formula 1 demands mental strength. In the fight for championships, it often comes down to who can hold their ground against adversity and competition. However, nurturing this can be achieved in different ways. Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen are prime examples.

Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen both have established themselves as two of the best drivers the sport has seen. Both of them did that at Red Bull too. However, this is where the similarities end.

According to Helmut Marko, both of them have had very different upbringings, though it has led to the same result. Verstappen was brought up by an arguably stern Jos Verstappen to become what he is today, whereas Vettel had a possibly more gentle and nurturing mentorship. But does tough love always mean resilience?

In an interview with the Road & Track Magazine Vettel has asked himself this too. “I didn’t get beaten up. But if you do get beaten up your whole life, does that work?”.

He went on to distinguish his perspective on racing from that of Verstappen, “Is resilience fighting back…or is resilience strength in understanding what just happened, reflecting and taking things on from there?”

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Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen at Red Bull would have been a mouth-watering prospect for Formula 1 fans. According to Vettel, there was a probability of it materializing, albeit a very slim one.

Sebastian Vettel accepts there were talks with Red Bull to partner Max Verstappen

Sebastian Vettel peaked at Red Bull. It would have been an amazing commercial and sporting story to see the prodigal son return home to fight hand-in-hand with the new king. Even though media chatter about this was very insignificant. Vettel has now revealed that discussions did ensue between the parties to make something happen.

Vettel recently said, “I know, Christian, I know Helmut. So for sure. I had a, you know, sort of brief chat with them, but never really anything serious.”

He went on to explain, “I made the decision to join Aston Martin before I think it was really in discussion that Alex is going to leave. So it was never really close.” 

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Could Sebastian Vettel have won a 5th World Drivers’ Championship if he would have returned to Red Bull?