Pundits split over Vettel's title chances

Hans-Joachim Stuck does not think Sebastian Vettel will win the 2010 world championship.

The young Red Bull driver has made a series of mistakes recently and is now 31 points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

"Theoretically he can still do it, practically I don't think so," Stuck, former Grand Prix driver and now VW motor sport representative, is quoted by the German news agency SID.

Even team boss Christian Horner acknowledges that Vettel is still learning, and Stuck agrees that the time may not be ripe for him to succeed.

"Sebastian needs to show whether he can also work under pressure, making no mistakes in those circumstances," he said.

Ten-time Grand Prix winner Gerhard Berger, boss at Toro Rosso when Vettel sensationally won the Italian Grand Prix in his rookie season, is more confident.

"31 points is possible to catch up," said the Austrian. "Sebastian has the advantage of the best car.

"He has to learn to settle sometimes for second and third, striking when he can but not at any cost," acknowledged Berger.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is equally bullish.

"31 points behind Lewis (Hamilton) is not too much, and he has the talent to do it. He only has to not do anything crazy," added the Briton.