Commentary
Formula 1
Niki Lauda: 2012 title much tougher for Vettel
GMM
Edited: Aug 15, 2012, 1:43 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Aug.15 (GMM) Winning the 2012 world championship is going to be a much tougher task for reigning back to back title winner Sebastian Vettel.
That is the view of F1's legendary triple world champion Niki Lauda, who nonetheless told the Osterreich (Austria) newspaper that the 25-year-old German cannot be written off.
"Now, in every race, he is having to fight like a donkey in order to stay in touch.
Niki Lauda
With half the 2012 championship now behind him, Vettel has one win compared to leader Fernando Alonso's three, and he also trails his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber.
Told that Vettel appears less happy in 2012, Lauda said: "That's logical.
"Last year he had a huge advantage with his car.
"Now, in every race, he is having to fight like a donkey in order to stay in touch. And the stress level is higher."
And Austrian legend Lauda, 63, said Webber and Ferrari's Alonso are not Vettel's only problems.
"All the top teams are closer together, as we saw in Budapest last time. I expect it to stay like that and I hope that Red Bull and McLaren can exploit their full potential."
As for how Vettel shapes up against 2012 favourite Alonso, Lauda said the Spaniard is "superior to everyone in difficult situations".
Race winner Fernando Alonso, Ferrari celebrates in parc ferme with Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: xpb.cc
Lauda was also asked about reports London could soon join the F1 calendar.
"I watched the Olympics from the opening to the closing ceremony," he said, "and loved it. An Olympic Games could not have gone better."
As for what he thinks about the idea of a London street Grand Prix, Lauda answered: "Not a lot."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Williams would be better with me - Barrichello
Next article F1 'would not allow' Indycar tracks - Barrichello
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Fernando Alonso
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 h
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures
More from
Ferrari
Ferrari explains tyre pressure mistake in Monza WEC
WEC
WEC
Monza
3 h
Ferrari explains tyre pressure mistake in Monza WEC
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
WEC
WEC
Monza
22 h
Robert Kubica announces exit from AF Corse’s privateer Hypercar in WEC
Latest news
Alex Bowman hits out at critics in snarky post, shooting down early exit rumors
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Alex Bowman hits out at critics in snarky post, shooting down early exit rumors
Ryan Blaney gets sweet redemption after 'nightmares' following 2024 Homestead loss
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Ryan Blaney gets sweet redemption after 'nightmares' following 2024 Homestead loss
IndyCar 2026 season review: Dale Coyne Racing
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 3 h
IndyCar 2026 season review: Dale Coyne Racing
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe