'Vettel won't dominate like Schumacher' (From The Northern Echo)

'Vettel won't dominate like Schumacher'

10:43am Friday 8th July 2011 in Formula One

LEWIS Hamilton and Jenson Button both believe Sebastian Vettel will never dominate Formula One as Michael Schumacher did last decade.

For five years Schumacher was virtually unstoppable, claiming five successive titles from 2000 to 2004 with Ferrari, and winning 48 of a possible 85 grands prix during that period.

Attempting to follow in his footsteps, at present Vettel dominates, with the 23-year-old en route to winning back-to-back titles.

Ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, Vettel has been on pole in seven of the eight races this season, winning six and finishing second in the other two to open up a 77-point cushion over his rivals.

If you take the end of last season into account, Vettel has been on pole 10 times in the last 12 grands prix, winning nine of those.

There is a fear the Red Bull star is exerting a stranglehold over F1 that will be difficult to break, as was the case with compatriot Schumacher.

But not, however, in the eyes of McLaren’s British duo who believe there are too many variables in the sport now compared to a decade ago when Schumacher reigned.

"I don’t think it will happen.

I think it’s a different time, rules are changing all the time," said Hamilton.

"Red Bull have clearly established they’re a strong team, but you have lots of other strong teams such as Renault who look like they are getting stronger this year.

"Then you’ve Mercedes who are there or thereabouts.

You’ve even got Williams.

Look at the changes they’re going to have."